Tibial tray thickness does not significantly increase medial tibial bone resorption: Using tibial bone density as an objective measurement method

Abstract

BackgroundRecent studies have reported the occurrence of medial tibial bone resorption following total knee replacement. One study proposed that a thick tibial tray results in stress shielding and increases the risk of bone resorption, but its findings were based on subjective radiological assessment. This study aimed to verify this hypothesis and to objectively quantify medial tibial bone density by using serial measurements with digital radiological densitometry. MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study involving 140 patients (70 thick tray vs. 70 thin tray) with cobalt–chromium implants with at least 24 months of follow-up. Standard radiographs were reviewed to look for incidence of medial tibial bone loss. Serial measurement of medial tibial bone density was also performed using the method of digital radiological densitometry. ResultsThere was no significant difference in the incidence of medial tibial bone loss. Both groups showed a significant drop in medial tibial bone density after operation (P < 0.01). Medial tibial bone density of the thick-tray cohort was significantly higher than the thin-tray cohort at one year (93.3 vs. 83.1 Greyscale; P = 0.04), but not at two and three years. Clinical outcomes in terms of postoperative range of motion, Knee Society score and complication rates were similar. ConclusionsMedial tibial bone resorption is a common phenomenon. Implants with thicker tibial trays suffer less than those with thinner trays at one year, but the difference is transient and does not affect clinical outcome.