[Utilization of a porous alumina ceramic spacer in tibial valgus open-wedge osteotomy: fifty cases at 16 months mean follow-up].

Abstract

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY:

The aim of this work was to study the behavior of an inert porous alumina ceramic spacer used with a plate fixation for open-wedge tibial valgus osteotomy in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee and genu varum.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

The population included 50 patients who underwent surgery between October 1994 and December 2000. There were 31 women and 19 men, mean age 55 years at surgery (26 right knees and 24 left knees). Patients were reviewed at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and one year, then every 2 years. Clinical and radiological data were available for all patients.

RESULTS:

Mean follow-up was 16 months. Two patients were lost to follow-up at 5 and 6 months. The results of the open-wedge tibial osteotomy were in agreement with the usual outcome reported in the literature concerning pain relief, functional recovery, joint motion, angle correction, and good preservation of the clinical and radiological result. Three fracture lines were observed on the lateral tibial plateau but did not affect final outcome or angle correction. There was however one case with loss of correction due to fracture of the screws. Radiographically, at 6 months, there were 9 thin lucent lines around the spacer (24%) which did not affect final outcome. Bone healing was achieved at 3 months on the average in all cases except 2 (4%) where healing was achieved at 8 and 13 months.

DISCUSSION:

The porous alumine spacer is a reliable biocompatible and mechanically stable element helpful for achieving bone healing. Integration into bone tissue was radiographically satisfactory. There were no specific complications related to use of the spacer.

• Authors: J C Bové
• Journal: Revue de chirurgie orthopedique et reparatrice de l'appareil moteur (Rev Chir Orthop Reparatrice Appar Mot) Vol. 88 Issue 5 Pg. 480-5 (Sep 2002) ISSN: 0035-1040 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Utilisation d'une cale en céramique d'alumine poreuse dans l'ostéotomie tibiale de valgisation par ouverture interne: cinquante cas avec un recul moyen de 16 mois.
• PMID: 12399713 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Aluminum Oxide

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aluminum Oxide (adverse effects, standards)
• Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee (adverse effects, instrumentation, methods)
• Bone Plates (adverse effects, standards)
• Bone Screws (adverse effects, standards)
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Osseointegration
• Osteoarthritis, Knee (diagnostic imaging, physiopathology, surgery)
• Osteotomy (adverse effects, instrumentation, methods)
• Porosity
• Prosthesis Design (standards)
• Prosthesis Failure
• Radiography
• Range of Motion, Articular
• Tibia (surgery)
• Treatment Outcome