Mats Molt and Soren Toksvig-Larsen
Objectives: The success of non-cemented knee fixation relies on the initial stability of the components. The application of ceramic coatings such as hydroxyapatite (HA) to the implant shortens the time needed to achieve adequate prosthetic fixation. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a low temperature precipitation technique, Peri-Apatite™ HA coating, reduces three-dimensional migration compared with porous coated press-fit tibial components.
Methods: Sixty patients were prospectively randomised to receive either a Peri-Apatite™ or a porous coated version of the same knee prosthesis type. Three-dimensional tibial component migration was measured by radiostereometric analysis (RSA) at three months, one year and two years; clinical outcome was measured by the American Knee Society Score (AKSS) and Knee Osteoarthritis and Injury Outcome Score (KOOS).
Results: The Peri-Apatite™ coated prostheses had a lower Maximum Total Point Motion than the uncoated prostheses. There were fewer Peri-Apatite™ coated prostheses showing continuous migration.
Conclusions: The short term RSA findings demonstrate that Peri-Apatite™ coating improves early implant stability. Level of evidence: Level I.