Enhancing femoral cement fixation in total knee arthroplasty.

Several factors have been shown to be associated with early development of radiolucent lines at the bone-cement interface in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The posterior condylar surfaces, in particular, seem subject to poor cement technique, which could lead to early loosening. This study compares two cementation techniques in TKA, with respect to depth of cement penetration and radiolucency in the posterior condyles.

Preoperative administration of epoetin alfa to total joint arthroplasty patients.

Epoetin alfa is indicated to reduce allogeneic transfusions in patients undergoing major operations. This study included 40 patients undergoing total joint arthroplasty who received 600 IU/kg doses of epoetin alfa 21, 14, and 7 days preoperatively. Statistically equal matches were obtained according to preoperative hemoglobin, operation, sex, and age.