Background

The affected joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) show chronic proliferative synovitis, which has been implicated in the destruction of articular cartilage and bone, resulting in joint disability [1]. Good clinical results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with RA have been reported using several types of prosthesis [2–5]. The decisions regarding whether the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) should be replaced or retained and whether the prosthesis should be fixed using cement or not are made at the surgeon's discretion. Long-term (≥ 10 years) follow-up studies of cruciate-retaining (CR) TKA without cement fixation of the prosthesis in patients with RA have indicated prosthesis survival rates of over 90% [6–8].

Hi-Tech Knee II CR-type cementless TKA (Nakashima Medical, Okayama, Japan) was developed in 1994 at Chiba University and is currently in clinical use, having been applied in more than 1600 cases to date (Figure 1A-D). This prosthesis is an appropriate design for the Japanese knee, with 6 fins at the anterior of the femoral component, PCL retention, flat-on-flat surface component geometry, all-polyethylene patella fixed without cement, strong initial fixation by the center screw of the tibial base plate, 10 layers of titanium alloy fiber mesh, and direct compression molded ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

Figure 1
figure 1

A: Anterior view of the Hi-tech knee II prosthesis CR type component. Note the polyethylene geometry with flat surface. B: Posterior view of the Hi-tech knee II prosthesis CR type component. Femoral component demonstrating the porous titanium coating and have 6 fins at anterior portion. C: Anteroposterior radiograph of Hi-tech knee II prosthesis CR type. D: Lateral radiograph of Hi-tech knee II prosthesis CR type.

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The present study was performed to evaluate the mid-term (5-12 year) results of Hi-Tech Knee II CR-type cementless TKA in patients with RA. This is the first report of the mid-term results regarding the use of this prosthesis.

All patients gave their informed consent prior inclusion in the study.

Materials and methods

Patients

Thirty-two Hi-Tech Knee II CR-type cementless primary TKAs were performed at our institution in 31 RA patients between April 1998 and August 2005. The study population consisted of 30 women and 1 man with a mean age of 64.4 years (range: 39-78 years) at surgery. The mean body mass index of the 31 patients was 25.5 (range: 20.5-32.3). The average follow-up period was 8 years 3 months (range: 5 year 3 months-12 years 3 months).

All patients fulfilled the diagnostic criteria of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) [9], and had Larsen grade IV or V radiographic involvement at surgery [10]. The mean duration was 13.5 years (range: 5-32 years). Twenty-three patients (74%) were receiving active oral steroid therapy, and the average steroid dose was 4.8 mg (range: 1-15 mg) daily.

This prosthesis was not indicated for use in cases with revision surgery, mutilating type RA, absent or attenuated PCL was observed in operation, severe deformity (lower limb AP varus or valgus alignment > 30°), severe knee stiffness (range of knee movement arc < 50°), or severe instability of the knee (varus or valgus instability > 30°, posterior sagging instability). We did not consider metaphyseal defects of the tibia as a contraindication for use of this prosthesis.

Surgical technique

A midline, longitudinal skin incision was used and the joint was opened through the median parapatellar approach. The PCL was preserved in all cases. Synovium existing to the suprapatellar pouch, around the cruciate ligaments, bilateral gutter, and posterior capsule were resected as much as possible. Bone cuts were made using an intramedullary guide on both the femur and tibia oriented by the measured cut technique. Cancellous bone chips were used to fill any bony defects and the tibial component was fixed with three screws to ensure initial stability. All patellae were also fixed with all-polyethylene components without cement. All procedures were performed with use of a tourniquet. Postoperative antibiotic (cefazolin sodium) was administered four times in 2 days. All patients received the same deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis using 100 mg of acetylsalicylic acid for 7 days.

Postoperative care

Range of motion exercise and full weight-bearing transfer to a wheelchair were begun on the second postoperative day, and full weight-bearing walking exercise was started on the fifth day. Patients were discharged when they could walk with a T-cane and tolerate stair climbing.

Methods and evaluation

Patients were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively by one of two senior joint replacement surgeons (HY, KG) independent of the surgeon performing the operation at 4 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year, and then every 1 year thereafter.

Clinical evaluations were performed according to the Knee Society (KS) system [11], which separately assesses the mechanical and functional aspects of the knee joint. Final follow-up standard anteroposterior and lateral radiographs were evaluated for loosening, radiolucent line, and subsidence according to the method of the Knee Society roentgenographic evaluation and score system [12]. The radiographs were taken according to the standard protocol described previously [13]. Weight-bearing anteroposterior (AP), lateral, and skyline image radiographs were taken before and after the operation. The femorotibial angle (FTA) of the knee was evaluated on AP weight-bearing radiographs. Radiolucencies were measured according to the zone described by the Knee Society (Figure 2A-C). AP and mediolateral instability were evaluated at each visit.

Figure 2
figure 2

The Knee Society Roentgenographjc Evaluation System. A: Anteroposterior view of representative tibial component. B: Lateral view of representative tibial component. C: Lateral view of representative femoral component.

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Complications, including infection, fracture, etc., were also assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired t test for comparison of preoperative and postoperative Knee Society scores.

We calculated prosthesis survival according to the Kaplan-Meier method using revision for any cause, revision attributable to loosening, or infection [14].

Results

Clinical results

The average Knee Society knee rating score improved from 32 (range: 20-65) preoperatively to 88 (range: 44-96) at final follow-up evaluation. The average Knee Society function score was 41 (range: 25-93) preoperatively, and also improved to 70 (range: 50-95) at final follow-up. None of the patients showed posterior translation of the tibia of greater than 10 mm in the posterior drawer test. Twenty-six knees (79%) were pain-free and 7 knees (21%) had mild or occasional pain postoperatively.

Ten patients could walk for 30 to 60 min, 17 for 30 to 60 min, and 6 for less than 10 min. Eleven patients required no walking aid, while 17 patients used walking aids outdoors, and 5 patients required them permanently. The mean preoperative maximum flexion angle was 105.4°, and that postoperatively at the latest follow-up was 115.6° (P < 0.05). Maximum extension angles were -12.5° and -3.3°, respectively (P < 0.005). Good valgus-varus stability was maintained throughout the follow-up period.

Radiographic results

All 32 patients in whom radiographic follow-up was performed were assessed for radiolucency at the bone-implant interface. Fourteen radiolucencies were identified (44%): 5 were seen at the femoral component (zone 1: 3 knees; zone 4: 1 knee; zone 5: 1 knee) and 9 were at the tibial component (AP view, zone 1: 5 knees; zone 3: 4 knees; lateral view, none). All measured less than 1 mm distance and were non-progressive. No radiolucent line was seen in the patella component, and there was no evidence of radiographic loosening at follow-up. Subsidences were detected in 7 knees (22%), but none were progressive. The subsidence may have been due to incorrect cutting of the tibial bone or poor bone strength.

The average postoperative FTA alignment was 174.7° (range: 170°-178°), and we found no differences in alignment throughout the follow-up period.

Complications

Complications occurred in two knees (6.1%): early deep infection in one knee and supracondylar fracture of the femur in the other. The case of infection required revision surgery, while the case of fracture was healed by conservative treatment.

There were no cases of late deep infection, nerve palsy, pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis, or patella fracture.

Prosthetic survival rate was 96.9% at 12 years postoperatively (95% confidence interval [CI], 86.6%-100%).

Discussion

TKA is a reliable form of treatment to relieve pain and improve function in patients with RA. Factors that influence prosthetic survival include the design of the component, the method of fixation (cemented or cementless), and the preservation or excision of the PCL [15–18]. It remains unclear whether it is best to retain or excise the PCL, and whether cement should or should not be used for implant fixation.

There have been several reports describing good long-term results of cementless TKA for RA, with prosthetic survival rate of over 90% with follow-up periods of more than 10 years [2–5]. However, there have been few reports regarding the long-term outcome of cementless CR-type TKA [6–8]. The results of the present study suggested that the clinical results of Hi-Tech Knee II CR-type cementless TKA in RA patients are satisfactory.

Cement has disadvantages related to toxicity [19], reduced bone stock at revision, and difficulty in treating infections [20]. However, early fixation after cementless TKA is the main problem related to stability of the prosthesis compared with cemented fixation [21]. The Hi-Tech Knee II CR-type component is coated with fiber mesh consisting of ten layers of titanium, designed to promote mechanical fixation by bone ingrowth [22]. The radiolucent line indicates the results of incorrect cutting of the femur and tibia. The width of this line is not progressive, and none of the patients in the present study had loosening, suggesting that adequate fixation can be achieved due to bony ingrowth.

The choice of whether to use a PCL-retaining design or posterior-stabilized design for TKA is based on limited data. It has been reported that there are no difference in clinical outcome between PCL retention and PCL removal, and conversely that the PS design results in a better range of motion and easier operation technique. Conditt [23] reported that substitution of the PCL with a spine and cam mechanism may not fully restore the functional capacity of the PCL, particularly in high-demand activities that involve deep flexion, squatting, kneeling, and gardening.

PCL substitution is believed to prevent posterior subluxation of the tibia in addition to enhancing roll-back during deep knee flexion. It has been suggested that PCL substitution allows greater conformity, which in turn results in less stress in the polyethylene tibial base plate. In this study, there were no cases of subluxation or loosening of the tibial base plate. Shai [24] reported the prosthesis survival rate of 97% at 13 years in the PCL-retaining procedure, and Rodriguez [25] also reported the rate of 91% at 15 years.

The disease state of the RA knee at the time of arthroplasty dictates whether the PCL is retained or sacrificed and whether cement is or is not used. Therefore, we did not use this prosthesis for all RA knees. The contraindications for use of this prosthesis include cases with mutilating type RA, severe deformity, severe knee stiffness, and severe instability of the knee. We did not consider metaphyseal tibial defect as a contraindication for use of this prosthesis.

There were some limitations in this study. First, this study was performed in a select patient population, and selection bias may have influenced the clinical outcomes. Second, the number of patients was small, which may have led to small-sample bias. Third, we did not perform blinded radiographic analysis. Fourth, the follow-up period was relatively short. Finally, this was a retrospective study.

In this study, there were no indications of problems associated with retention of the PCL and cementless fixation. However, attention should be paid to cases with large bony defects of the knee and with mutilating types of joint destruction. Appropriate selection of patient, prosthesis, and operative technique may lead to good clinical results, even using a CR-type prosthesis and cementless fixation.

Conclusions

Although some concerns still remain, the satisfactory clinical and radiological results of the present study 5-12 years postoperatively support the use of this prosthesis in cases of RA. However, the results did not suggest that this prosthesis is superior to other cemented and PS type prostheses for RA patients. The ultimate utility of this type of prosthesis should be judged based only on its long-term clinical outcome, and further studies are therefore required.