The aims of this study were to (1) describe a novel technique for appropriate treatment of bone defects in medial tibial plateau grafted with autologous resected bone and (2) compare clinical outcomes, radiographic results, and survivorship of these knees with those of standard total knee arthroplasty (TKA) without bone defect.
We retrospectively reviewed 50 cases of primary TKA involving bone defects of medial tibial plateau managed with bone grafting for a minimum follow-up of 7 years. Autologous resected bones were used for bone graft after removing solid cortical bones at the defect site. After bone graft group was completed, one-to-one patient-matched control was accomplished based on propensity score matching of 50 knees. Survivorship was analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. The endpoint of survival was revision of implant. Clinical outcomes were also assessed including Knee Society Score and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score.
The mean follow-up was 117 months in the group with bone graft and 108 months in the group without bone graft. There were no significant differences in postoperative clinical scores and knee alignment. Nonprogressive radiolucent lines measuring <2 mm were observed in 8 knees in the group with bone graft and 9 knees in the group without bone graft. During the follow-up period, 1 patient with late infection underwent 2-stage revision and another revision for tibial loosening occurred in both groups. The 10-year cumulative survival rate for revision was 96.0% in both groups.
Our technique of management of medial tibial bone defect using autologous bone graft yielded desirable results based on survival rate and clinical outcome.