Are All-Polyethylene tibial components a viable biomechanical alternative in TKAs?

Abstract

Objectives: An alternative solution to fixed bearing metal-backed FMB)tibial components is the all-polyethylene (AP) monoblock tibial insert. The AP solution offers two main benefits in comparison to the FMB: it eliminates the insert-metal interface and it decreases the cost of the arthroplasty. However, this solution presents a mechanical structure that might induce different stress and strain distributions inside the tibial bone and consequent implant micro-motions. Up to now, no literature studies investigate and compare the full biomechanical behavior of the AP concept with respect to the FMB concept. For these reasons, this study aims to evaluate the stress and strain distribution, using finite element analysis, in FMB and AP tibial components for Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) during a high flexion motor task. Moreover, the effect of several cementing techniques and different bone qualities were also investigated.status: publishe