Does the Addition of a Tibial Stem Extender in Total Knee Arthroplasty Decrease Risk of Aseptic Loosening in Patients with Obesity? An Analysis from the American Joint Replacement Registry

Mechanical loosening is a leading cause of failure of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) for which obesity may be a risk factor. With rising rates of obesity and increasing incidence of TKA, the identification of factors to mitigate this cause of failure is necessary. The purpose of this study is to determine if the use of a tibial stem extender (TSE) decreases the risk of mechanical loosening in patients with obesity undergoing TKA.