The effect of a tibial baseplate undersurface peripheral lip on cement penetration in total knee arthroplasty

Many total knee arthroplasty (TKA) tibial baseplates have a peripheral lip or cement pocket theoretically to increase cement penetration by decreasing edge escape of the cement squeeze film on baseplate impaction. We reviewed 177 consecutive TKAs (89 nonlipped and 87 lipped baseplates) performed by a single surgeon, using the same third-generation tibial cementation techniques. Cement penetration patterns of the lateral 12 mm of proximal tibia were examined by a semiautomatic computerized digital image analysis technique. Penetration in the lipped baseplate was double that of the nonlipped baseplate at the component’s lateral edge (P<.05) and continued to be statistically significantly greater to 4 mm from edge. From 5 to 7 mm, the difference was no longer statistically significant, and from 8 to 12 mm, the penetration was equal.