Posterior stabilization in total knee arthroplasty with use of an ultracongruent polyethylene insert.

Abstract

Fifty-three primary and 47 revision posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)-substituting total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) using a highly conforming (ultracongruent) polyethylene insert were retrospectively reviewed over a 48- to 106-month (mean, 60+/-11 months) follow-up period. These 100 knees were age and sex matched with another 100 TKAs performed using a PCL-sparing design. The ultracongruent design has an anterior buildup of 12.5 mm and a more conforming articular surface to match better the radius of the femoral component. In primary and revision TKAs, the average Hospital for Special Surgery knee score (P = .3) and range of motion (P = .43) were similar between the PCL-sparing and ultracongruent groups. In primary and revision TKAs, there were no revisions resulting from instability for patients receiving an ultracongruent insert versus 5 knees in the PCL-sparing control group secondary to subsequent postoperative anteroposterior instability and PCL insufficiency.