Retrieval analysis in total knee arthroplasty

Table 4 Main data on polyethylene component wear in retrieval analysis in total knee arthroplasty

Ref.	Methods	Results	Conclusions
Heyse et al[9], 2011	These authors analyzed 16 retrieved TKA with an OxZr femoral component. The PE components were also analyzed applying an established scoring system for wear and surface damage	The average wear and damage score for the tibial PE components was 36. The average score in the visual analysis of the OxZr femoral components was 1.3	This study did not show major wear of the PE component in TKA using OxZr femoral components
Holleyman et al et al[10], 2015	These authors investigated the reciprocating interface at the TKA undersurface articulation using profilometry after in vivo service	Four pristine unimplanted components of two different designs (Stryker Kinemax and DePuy PFC) were examined for control purposes. Mean explant baseplate surface roughness was 1.24 μm. Mean explant UHMWPE component undersurface roughness was 1.16 μm	Findings of this study would support the use of a polished tibial tray over an unpolished design in TKA with the goal of reducing PE component wear by means of providing a smoother backside countersurface for the UHMWPE component
Ponzio et al[11], 2018	These authors evaluated the surface damage, the density of crosslinking, and oxidation in retrieved A-XLPE components from TKA and compared the results with a matched cohort of XLPE components	A-XLPE components had higher rates of burnishing and lower rates of pitting and scratching compared with XLPE components	Retrieval analysis of A-XLPE did not reflect a clinically relevant difference in surface damage, density of crosslinking, or oxidation compared with XLPE components at short-term evaluation
Cerquiglini et al[12], 2018	This study correlated highly accurate CT measurements of pre-revision TKA implant position with findings of retrieval analysis post-revision, to understand the clinical relevance of TKA orientation	There was a significant correlation between tibial slope and damage score on PE components as well as a significant correlation between implants’ position in the axial plane and damage score on PE components	A significant correlation between implant position and PE component surface damage was found. These results showed the importance of optimizing component position to minimize PE component damage
Kahlenberg et al[13], 2023	These authors evaluated the PE component and patient characteristics for 33 primary PS, PE components that were revised with fractured posts: UHMWPE vs the XLPE (highly cross-linked PE) component	Total surface damage scores were higher in the UHMWPE component group vs the XLPE component group	Characteristics of PS post fracture differed between XLPE and UHMWPE components, with fractures occurring in the XLPE component with less generalized surface damage, after a shorter LOI, and with SEM evaluation indicative of a more brittle fracture pattern

TKA: Total knee arthroplasty; OxZr: Qxidized zirconium; PE: Polyethylene; A-XLPE: Antioxidant-stabilized highly crosslinked polyethylene; XLPE: Standard remelted highly crosslinked polyethylene; CT: Computed tomography; PS: Posterior stabilized; UHMWPE: Ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene; LOI: Length of implantation; SEM: Scanning electron microscopy.