Progressive subluxation and polyethylene wear in total knee replacements with flat articular surfaces

One hundred eighty-six Microloc tricompartmental, cruciate-sparing, primary total knee replacements in 136 patients were performed between 1983 and 1987. Femoral components were made of cobalt-chrome-molybdenum alloy. The tibial component baseplates were made of titanium-aluminum-vanadium alloy. The baseplates were made with three small porous-coated pegs for fixation with or without cement, or with a central stem for fixation with cement. The polyethylene was affixed to the baseplate by a mechanical locking mechanism that was nonmodular. The articular surfaces of both components were flat mediolaterally and anteroposteriorly. The patellar components were dome shaped and metal backed with titanium-aluminum alloy. Seventy-three percent of the femoral components, 26% of the tibial components, and 48% of the patellar components were inserted without bone cement. The average time to maximum follow-up examination was 6.1 years (range, four to nine years). Of implants that had not been revised, 84.4% had good or excellent results (using the Hospital for Special Surgery scoring system) at final follow-up examination. The average range of motion of functioning implants at final follow-up examination was 108 degrees. Revisions for failure only of the metal-backed patellar component were performed in 22 knees (11.8%). Forty knees (21.5%) required revision for failure of the femoral-tibial articulation. Reasons for failure in this group included: polyethylene wear (57.5%); loosening (15.0%); tibial tray fracture (10.0%); sepsis (12.5%); and dislocation or ligament laxity (5.0%). An additional 15 functioning knees (8.1%) have radiographic evidence of progressive femoral-tibial subluxation. Future failure of these devices is considered likely. Polyethylene wear requiring revision was not statistically associated with patient age, gender, preoperative diagnosis, height, weight, or component size. Polyethylene failure leading to revision was related to the radiographic appearance of femoral-tibial component subluxation. This subluxation was most likely to occur after five years of component implantation. The development of progressive femoral-tibial subluxation was statistically associated with postoperative extremity malalignment, excessive varus positioning of the tibial component, bone grafting of the tibial plateau, the use of the small-pegged tibial component, and the use of this component without cement. Polyethylene wear associated with progressive femoral-tibial subluxation occurred at the periphery of the tibial plateau and along the raised portion of the tibial spine. The metal baseplate at the edge of the plateau was frequently exposed and worn. Bone lysis associated with the presence of polyethylene, metal, and cement debris was frequently observed.