AN EXPERIMENTAL MODEL TO COMPARE TECHNIQUES OF CEMENTING THE TIBIAL COMPONENT IN TOTAL KNEE REPLACEMENT

The 4th England and Wales NJR showed that 83% of total knee replacements were cemented (47,626 knees). This study aimed to compare modern techniques of cementation of the proximal tibia in an experimental model against tourniquet-less knee replacement surgery with cancellous bone suction and a cement gun. A metal box was constructed to approximate the proximal tibia and open cell sawbone simulated the tibia with simulated blood flow and bone suction. Each sample was prepared in an identical fashion except for the cementing technique. The techniques compared were of Tourniquet, No tourniquet, No tourniquet + cancellous bone suction and No Tourniquet, suction applied + cement gun pressurisation. Samples were subsequently sectioned, polished and the cemented area measured using a planimeter. ANOVA testing demonstrated that the techniques were significantly different (p The authors believe that our technique of cementation of the proximal tibia offers an easy and reproducible way of getting good quality cementing of the tibial component in total knee replacement and this is borne out by our experimental model.