title: Histologic retrieval analysis of a porous tantalum metal implant in an infected primary total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: Porous tantalum (Zimmer, Inc, Warsaw, Ind) has the theoretical advantage of improved biologic fixation because of its high porosity, interconnected pore space, and modulus of elasticity. We present a case report documenting the retrieval and bone ingrowth analysis of a porous tantalum tibial component in an infected total knee arthroplasty. Results demonstrated a significantly larger amount of bone ingrowth present in the tibial posts (36.7%) when compared with the bone ingrowth into the tibial baseplate (4.9%) (P < .001). The data suggest that bone ingrowth seen in the plugs as well as baseplate was suggestive of viable bone tissue with healthy bone marrow, osteocytes, and lamella, resulting in a well-fixed tibial implant even at revision surgery for an infected total knee arthroplasty.
authors.affiliation: The Center for Orthopaedic Specialties at Montefiore, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sambaziotis
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lovy
authors.forename: Karyn E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.forename: Roy D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Bloebaum
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hirsh
authors.forename: Sun Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery*; D016062:Porosity; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D013635:Tantalum; D013977:Tibia / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013635:Tantalum