The Chetranjan Ranawat Award: Tibial Component Failure Mechanisms in Total Knee Arthroplasty

The purpose of this study was to examine the failure mechanisms and factors associated with failure of a nonmodular metal backed cemented tibial component. Out of 3152 total knee replacements done for osteoarthritis, 41 tibial components had been revised (1.3%). Four distinct failure mechanisms were identified: 20 knees were revised for medial bone collapse, 13 for ligamentous imbalance, 6 for progressive radiolucencies, and 2 for pain. Factors associated with medial bone collapse were varus tibial component alignment more than 3.0 degrees , Body Mass Index higher than 33.7, and overall postoperative varus limb alignment. Ligamentous imbalance was more prevalent in knees with preoperative valgus deformity.…