Young Investigator Award Looks at Increased Revision Risk with Rotating Platform Bearings in Total Knee Arthroplasty
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2022
Dallas, TX – An award-winning study was presented at the 2022 AAHKS Annual Meeting on increased revision risk with rotating platform bearings in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Rotating Platform (RP) bearings in total knee arthroplasty have the potential to reduce polyethylene wear and improve patellar tracking due to axial freedom. However, concerns for increased risk of revision have been described due to the associated tibial component design, added complexity with balance and risk of bearing dislocation.
This study received the AAHKS James A. Rand, MD, Young Investigator’s Award during the 2022 Annual Meeting. This award recognizes young investigators who demonstrate clinical excellence in knee-related research.
Lead author Vishal Hegde, MD and co-authors Jamil Kendall, MD, Kathryn Schabel, MD, Christopher E. Pelt, MD, Patrick J. Yep, MPH, Kyle Mullen, MPH, Ayushmita De, PhD and senior author Ryland Kagan, MD examined the risk of revision with use of RP compared to fixed bearing (FB) designs in TKA.
Researchers identified 485,024 TKAs, with 452,199 (93.2%) FB and 32,825 (6.8%) RP bearings. Compared to FB the RP were at increased risk for all-cause revision HR 1.36 ([95% CI 1.24, 1.49], p< 0.0001). There was no difference in revision for infection, HR 1.06 ([95% CI 0.90, 1.25], p=0.516). Event-free survival curves demonstrated increased risk for all-cause revision for RP bearings across all time points, with a greater magnitude of risk as time elapsed out to 8 years.
The researchers found that like other national registry investigations, RP designs in this study demonstrated increased risk for all-cause revision.
“Although this study demonstrated a small absolute clinical difference between rotating platform and fixed bearing total knee arthroplasties, this difference was still significant. We hope that these findings will help inform orthopedic surgeons about the potential risks when they elect to use a rotating platform design for their patients,” said Vishal Hegde, MD.
Abstract: https://www.aahks.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AAHKS_2022_JamesRand_Award.pdf
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About the American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons
Established in 1991, the mission of AAHKS is to advance hip and knee patient care through education, advocacy, research and outreach. AAHKS has a membership of over 4,600 surgeons and other hip and knee health care professionals.
