Study Compares Cementless to Standard Knee Replacement Outcomes

Cementless knee replacement, an alternative approach to traditional cemented knee replacement surgery, is garnering interest in the field of orthopedic surgery. Researchers at Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) launched a study to compare outcomes of a modern cementless knee implant to the standard knee implant that requires bone cement for fixation.

The study found no difference in hospital length of stay, complications, hospital readmission within 90 days of surgery, or rates of revision surgery at two-year patient follow-up.

Per study results, using the cementless implant reduced OR time by 25%, saving an average of 27 minutes.

Researchers reviewed 598 primary unilateral total knee replacements at HSS (170 cementless and 428 cemented) of the same design from 2016 to 2018. Demographic information, operative details and any complications were obtained from patients’ medical records. Patients undergoing the cementless procedure were younger overall, with a mean age of 63, vs. 68 for those having a traditional cemented knee replacement.

There was no statistically significant difference in hospital length of stay, complications, or hospital readmission for a problem in the first 90 days after surgery. Ninety-six percent of cementless knee replacement patients versus 95% of those with a cemented knee replacement maintained their implant without the need for revision surgery at two-year follow-up.

“The biggest question now is whether or not cementless total knee replacement will have better long-term durability and fixation than cemented knee replacement,” said Brian P. Chalmers, MD, hip and knee surgeon at HSS and study co-author. “Following these patients to assess long-term outcomes is the next step.”

Source: HSS