title: The all-polyethylene tibial component in primary total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: Outcomes of total knee arthroplasties performed with modern all-polyethylene tibial components have been found to be comparable with or better than those of arthroplasties done with metal-backed modular components in numerous mid-to-long-term follow-up studies, radiostereometric analyses, and the few prospective randomized trials available. Advantages of an all-polyethylene tibial component over a metal-backed modular component include lower cost, avoidance of locking-mechanism issues and backside wear, and increased polyethylene thickness after identical bone resections. Disadvantages of an all-polyethylene tibial component compared with a metal-backed modular component include a lack of modularity, limiting intraoperative options; no option for liner removal in the setting of acute irrigation and débridement; and no option for late liner exchange. Primary total knee arthroplasty with a modern all-polyethylene design can be done in many patients, with substantial cost savings across the health-care system.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN 55417, USA. terence.gioe@va.gov
authors.forename: Terence J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Gioe
authors.forename: Aditya V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Maheshwari
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000191:economics; D010014:Osteolysis; D020959:Polyethylene; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000191:economics; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013977:Tibia; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D020959:Polyethylene