The 5-year results of an oxidized zirconium femoral component for TKA.
Osteolysis secondary to polyethylene wear is one of the major factors limiting long-term performance of TKA. Oxidized zirconium is a new material that combines the strength of a metal with the wear properties of a ceramic. It remains unknown whether implants with a zirconium femoral component can be used safely in TKA. To answer that question, we reviewed, at a minimum of 5 years, the clinical outcome and survivorship of a ceramic-surfaced oxidized zirconium femoral component implanted during 98 primary TKAs between April 2001 and December 2003. Survivorship was 98.7% at 7 years postoperatively. No revision was necessary and only one component failed because of aseptic loosening. Mean Knee Society score improved from 36 to 89. No adverse events were observed clinically or radiologically. These results justify pursuing the use of oxidized zirconium as an alternative bearing surface for a femoral component in TKA.


METHODS
Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Second Orthopaedic Clinic, Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Plastic Surgery and Rehabilitation, University of Florence, CTO-Largo Palagi 1, 50139 Florence, Italy.
Massimo
M
Innocenti
Roberto
R
Civinini
Christian
C
Carulli
Fabrizio
F
Matassi
Marco
M
Villano
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D003722:Dental Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery*; D010015:Osteolysis, Essential / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D015040:Zirconium
D003722:Dental Alloys; D003764:Dental Materials; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide