Newer generation cementless total knee arthroplasty (TKA) designs are available and have novel implant coatings. We evaluated and compared beaded periapatite (PA)-coated vs highly porous titanium-coated cementless TKAs. Specifically, we compared: (1) survivorship, (2) Knee Society Scores (KSSs) and range of motion, (3) complications, and (4) radiographic findings.
There were 805 TKAs with beaded PA-coated tibial and patellar components (PA group; mean age 67 years; range 41-86 years), and 219 TKAs with highly porous titanium-coated tibial and patella components (mean age 66 years; range 34-88 years). Mean follow-up was 4.4 years (range 2-9 years; median 4 years). Implant survivorship was calculated using Kaplan-Meier curves. Student t-tests and chi-square tests were used as appropriate. Radiographic evaluation was performed using Knee Society Roentgenographic Evaluation and Scoring System.
All-cause implant survivorship in beaded PA-coated group was 99.5% (95% CI, 97.9%-99.9%) and 99.5% (95% CI, 92.7%-99.9%) in highly porous titanium-coated group. There were no significant differences in the KSS for pain and function. Improvement in flexion and extension was similar in the 2 groups. Overall, complication rate (2.2% vs 2.3%; P = .274) and number of revisions (6 [0.8%] vs 2 [0.2%]; P = .936) were similar in the 2 groups. Excluding the aseptic and septic failures, there were no progressive radiolucencies or osteolysis on radiographic evaluation.
This study has shown good clinical and patient-reported outcomes of cementless TKA for both implants. Future multicenter large scale clinical and cost-effectiveness studies are needed to determine the superiority of one cementless implant type over the other.