Evaluation of 5-year Survival and Clinical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty With a Polyethylene Tibial Component
Condition(s) studied
Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)
Total knee arthroplasty: Implantation of the Link Symphoknee prosthesis with an all-polyethylene tibial component
Study summary
Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most successful procedures in orthopedic surgery for treating advanced knee osteoarthritis, providing pain relief, functional recovery, and improved quality of life. Advances in implant design and materials have further enhanced joint kinematics and patient satisfaction.
An aging population has increased the number of elderly patients with comorbidities, potentially affecting surgical outcomes and implant longevity. Polyethylene has long been used in knee prostheses; early all-polyethylene tibial components were abandoned due to high wear and failure rates, in favor of metal-backed designs, which became the gold standard.
Recently, highly cross-linked ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has renewed interest in all-polyethylene tibial components, although their use remains limited. These implants offer potential advantages, including elimination of locking mechanism failures, reduced backside wear, lower costs, and possibly better load distribution.
Evidence from registries, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses shows that 15-year survival of all-polyethylene tibial components is comparable or even superior to metal-backed designs, with no significant differences in clinical-functional outcomes. Additionally, all-poly components are significantly less expensive.
Given these findings, increasing their use and evaluating outcomes in Italy is warranted. The aim of the present study is to assess implant survival of the Link Symphoknee prosthesis with an all-polyethylene tibial component, along with clinical-functional outcomes and post-discharge readmission rates in patients treated at the Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute.
Eligibility
Primary outcome measure(s)
- Implant failure — Up to 5 years post-surgery
It is defined as revision of the prosthesis for any reason-septic, aseptic, or traumatic.
Trial sites (1)
| Facility | City | Region | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| IRCCS Rizzoli Orthopedic Institute | Bologna | Italy | Recruiting |
More Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli trials in Italy
Other trials for the same condition
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
View NCT07544264 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ ← All trials in Italy