Second-generation bi-cruciate stabilized total knee system has a lower reoperation and revision rate than its predecessor

INTRODUCTION: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) can provide pain relief and good long-term results. However, nearly 30% of post-surgical patients are unsatisfied due to persistent pain and functional deficits. A second-generation bi-cruciate stabilized TKA device has a post-cam mechanism with an asymmetric femoral component, a polyethylene insert, and a medially concave and laterally convex shape. The device is designed to provide guided motion, and thus improve knee kinematics by more closely approximating a normal knee. The aim of this study was to evaluate early complication and revision rates of the second-generation device and to compare its clinical performance to the first-generation device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective, longitudinal, non-concurrent cohort study, 140 TKAs were performed using the second-generation device on 131 patients from 2012 to 2016, and 155 TKAs were performed using the first-generation device on 138 patients from 2009 to 2012. Primary outcomes were occurrence of revisions and reoperations. RESULTS: There were 31 reoperations [3.21 per 100 observed component years (OCY)] in 22 (2.28 per 100 OCY) TKAs in the first-generation device cohort compared to five reoperations (1.92 per 100 OCY) in four TKAs (1.54 per 100 OCY) in the second-generation device cohort. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) was 3.50 (P = 0.0254). There were 21 revisions (2.17 per 100 OCY) in 16 (1.66 per 100 OCY) TKAs in the first-generation device cohort, compared to only three revisions (1.15 per 100 OCY) in two TKAs (0.77 per 100 OCY) in the second-generation device cohort. The adjusted HR was 4.16 (P = 0.0693). CONCLUSION: The improved design of the second-generation device appears to be associated with a lower risk of reoperation and revision compared to that of the first-generation device. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.