Rim Fracture of a Tibial Base-Plate Due to Retained Cement as a Cause of Catastrophic Failure of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty: A Case Report. Issue 3 (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sawatzke, Alexander B.; Bollinger, Alexander J.; Butler, Paul D.; Roberts, Karl C.
• Is Part Of: JBJS case connector. Volume 6:Issue 3(2016)
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: Orthopedic surgery -- Case studies -- Periodicals; Orthopedic surgery -- Periodicals; Orthopedics; Orthopedic Procedures; Orthopedic surgery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Case studies; Periodicals; 616.7
• DOI: 10.2106/JBJS.CC.15.00131
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2160-3251

Abstract

Abstract : Case: We report a case of catastrophic implant failure due to fatigue fracture of a well-functioning unicompartmental knee arthroplasty at 7 years in an active 55-year-old man, who presented with sudden onset of atraumatic knee pain and effusion. The patient underwent revision to total knee arthroplasty. Intraoperative findings included a metallic fragment fractured off the rim of the tibial base-plate and cement retained in the tibial tray. Conclusion: Retained cement in the tibial tray resulted in increased tibial tray contact stresses and fatigue fracture of the rim of the tray, creating a free metallic loose body that produced symptoms.