Low friction total knee arthroplasty with the alumina ceramic condylar prosthesis

This paper evaluates the failure and wear properties of the alumina ceramic posterior cruciate condylar total knee prosthesis, and reports the preliminary clinical results of this prosthesis. Thirteen sets of the alumina ceramic prostheses were used for destruction and wear tests. The average ultimate load in the static destruction tests showed 2.63 x 10(4) Newtons in the femoral component, and 1.28 x 10(4) Newtons in the tibial component. The average ultimate energy in the impact destruction tests showed 22.1 Joules in the femoral components, and 20.3 Joules in the tibial components. The wear test demonstrated that the average depth of wear was 0.04 mm in the alumina ceramic prostheses, and 0.20 mm in the Vitallium prostheses. Observation of the UHMWPE wear surface with a scanning electron microscope indicated many deep scratches and a scooped concave lesion in the Vitallium prostheses; there were few deep scratches in the alumina ceramic prostheses. Thirty patients underwent 32 total knee arthroplasties using the alumina ceramic posterior cruciate condylar prosthesis between 1988 and 1990. The results were evaluated as excellent for 59%, good for 28%, fair for 10%, and poor for 3%. Critical roentgenographic review demonstrated no cases of loosening or sinking after arthroplasties using the alumina ceramic prosthesis. Radiolucent lines were observed only in 4 knees (12%) cases. All were observed around the tibial components, but were less than 1 mm in thickness. The frequency of the radiolucent lines is less than that observed in the Vitallium prosthesis at the same followup period. The alumina ceramic posterior cruciate condylar prosthesis may have sufficient durability and excellent wear properties for low friction total knee arthroplasty.