Background: Osteopenia of the front half of the distal femur is a well-known problem after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with secondary issues after years, especially when must be addressed fractures or revisions for loosening. Stress shielding has been recognized as a cause in different biomechanical studies of the bone. Question/purposes: It was logical to look for a solution by changing the design to minimize stress shielding behind the femoral shield. Patients and methods: It was proved that radiological measure of bone density was reliable although not so early and accurate as densitometry. We used a shield without posterior fixation of the trochlea in a series of 21 TKA with radiological measures, preoperative, at 3 months and at 5 years. We compared the results with those of a series of classical TKA in the same category of age and sex. Results: The TKA without trochlea posterior fixation presented a significantly reduced osteopenia compared to the classical design of the femoral shield. Conclusion: It seems that the non-fixation of the posterior surface of the trochlea may reduce osteopenia in TKA and so the risk of fractures and complications when revision surgery. Level of evidence: 2a.
CITATION STYLE
Schwartz, C. (2019). How to reduce osteopenia in total knee arthroplasty? European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, 29(1), 139–145. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-018-2290-z
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