Mid- to long-term survivorship of oxidised zirconium total knee replacements performed in patients under 50years of age.

Background: Oxidised zirconium has the wear properties of ceramic with the breakage resistance of metal. This results in less wear and is of benefit to younger, higher demand patients. We report the short- to mid-term survival of 103 Profix zirconium total knee replacements performed in patients under 50years of age at time of surgery.

Methods: Data was collected prospectively and survival analysis undertaken with strict end points used. SF (Short Form) 12 and WOMAC (Western Ontario and McMaster University) scores were recorded at pre-operatively and at twelve months, one, three, five, seven and ten years.

Results: The average age at operation was 43.21years (range 20-50years) with a mean follow-up of 8.56years (range five to 15years). No patients died with one patient lost to follow-up after seven year review. The mean WOMAC score improved from 53 to 29, and the mean SF12 physical component improved from 29 to 36. The five year survivorship for implant related complications was 99.03% (95% CI 94.64-100.0) due to tibial component aseptic loosening at year one. Reoperation for any cause at five years including stiffness was 94.09% (95% CI 88.69-98.11). Forty-four patients were at least ten years post-operative at the time of analysis, with no aseptic loosening of either component giving 10year femoral component survival of 100% and all cause revision of 95.4%. The only zirconium femoral failure was at 12years.

Conclusions: Our data shows excellent mid-term survivorship of oxidised zirconium total knee replacements in younger, higher demand patients.