Study Shows Component Revision Superior to Isolated Liner Revision for Instability After Knee Replacement Surgery

May 26, 2021

Researchers found isolated liner revision had higher incidence of reoperation and infection.

Instability is a major cause of patient dissatisfaction after knee replacement surgery, also known as total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Options to treat the instability include a combined tibial and femoral component revision, or a less invasive replacement of the liner between those components, often called an isolated polyethylene liner exchange (IPLE).

Researchers from the University of Missouri School of Medicine and MU Health Care compared the two options using a retrospective review of surgeries and found (IPLE) had higher rates of reoperation and infection compared to combined tibial and femoral component revision.

“Our study findings support previous works that liner revision does not predictably achieve desired results, with relatively high rates of reoperation, early component revision and infection-related complications,” said senior author James Keeney, MD, associate professor of orthopaedic surgery.

Keeney and his team performed a retrospective comparison of 20 patients treated with IPLE and 126 patients treated with tibial and femoral component revision surgery at a single institution from 2011-18. They assessed patient demographics, medical comorbidities, time to initial TKA, and reoperation. They found patients who had IPLE were nearly 43% more likely to undergo reoperation, 36% more likely to require component revision surgery and nearly 28% more likely to undergo component revision within two years. IPLE recipients also had an 18% increased risk of infection.

“Our study suggests that careful consideration is needed when selecting IPLE for TKA instability,” Keeney said. “Considerations for a faster recovery and less immediate surgical morbidity need to be adequately weighed against higher reoperation and revision rates.”

In addition to Keeney, the study authors include colleagues Willliam Ralston, DO, post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery; and medical student Jason Tegethoff.

Their study, “Isolated Liner Revision for Total Knee Arthroplasty Instability: A Road That Should remain Less Taken,” was published in the Journal of Knee Surgery.