Comparison of Highly Cross-Linked and Conventional Polyethylene in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Comparison of Highly Cross-Linked and Conventional Polyethylene in Posterior Cruciate-Substituting Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Same Patients

To our knowledge, there has been no information on in vivo clinical results of posterior cruciate-substituting arthroplasties using highly cross-linked polyethylene. We evaluated whether the clinical and radiographic results, incidence of post fracture of the tibial polyethylene insert, failure of the locking mechanism of the tibial polyethylene insert, and the incidence of osteolysis would be similar between posterior cruciate-substituting total knee prostheses using conventional and highly cross-linked polyethylene.

Inclusion Criteria:

• osteoarthritis that was severe enough to warrant total knee arthroplasty after an adequate trial of nonoperative therapy, and the need for bilateral total knee arthroplasties

Exclusion Criteria:

• inflammatory arthritis
• osteoarthritis of the hip causing pain or restricted mobility
• a foot or ankle disorder which limited walking
• dementia or a neurological disorder including a past history of stroke which affected mobility