# Does undersizing of the tibial component in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty increase the risk of fracture? A biomechanical study

## TL;DR

This study shows that using undersized tibial implants in knee surgery increases the risk of fractures due to reduced load-bearing capacity.

## Contribution

The study provides biomechanical evidence linking undersized tibial components to higher fracture risk in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

## Key findings

- Size AA tibial components showed significantly lower maximum load and cycles to failure compared to size A.
- Strain patterns matched clinical observations, indicating fracture risk areas.
- Plastic deformation was minimal and not significantly different between the two sizes.

## Abstract

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a common treatment for medial osteoarthritis, providing faster recovery and better joint kinematics than total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, periprosthetic tibial plateau fractures (TPF) remain a significant complication. Undersized tibial components, especially size AA, increase TPF risk. This study aims to examine the biomechanical relation between tibial implant size and the risk of periprosthetic fractures.

A biomechanical study was conducted using 16 customized synthetic bone models to simulate the effects of tibial component sizing in UKA. Proximal tibial models with components of size A and size AA were subjected to axial loading, and the maximum load to failure and cycles to failure were measured for each size. Additionally, plastic axial deformation was calculated at the maximum load level of the weakest construct. Strain patterns were compared with clinically observed fracture lines reported in previous studies.

Size AA had a significantly lower maximum load and cycles to failure compared with size A (1039 N ± 75 N and 9.336 ± 925 cycles versus 1140 N ± 83 N and 8.326 ± 759 cycles, p = 0.031). The strain patterns were consistent with those observed in clinical studies, showing a wedge-shaped distribution from the posteromedial to the anteromedial tibial plateau. Plastic deformation was less than 0.6 mm across all specimens, with no significant difference in axial displacement between the two groups (p = 0.64).

Undersizing the tibial component reduces load-bearing capacity of the tibial plateau and thereby increases the risk of periprosthetic fractures. Precise implant sizing by correct sagittal resection is essential to minimize the risk of fracture in UKA.

Type V