title: Further observations on metal-backed patellar component failure.
abstract: The clinical data, failure pattern, symptoms, roentgenographic findings, and failure mechanism of a series of 25 metal-backed patellar component failures are summarized. Diagnosis of implant failure was unknown prior to arthrotomy in seven of 25 cases (28%). Clinical findings and history were not helpful in making the diagnosis. Roentgenographic findings led to the diagnosis in 17 of 18 and were by far the most useful data. Metal-backed patellar component failure is a new complication of total knee arthroplasty and will be seen in increasing numbers. Caution is urged in implanting metal-backed designs until further design research is done.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Bayley
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000601:surgery*; D010146:Pain; D010329:Patella / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011859:Radiography
chemical_list: D008670:Metals