Total Knee Replacement System with a Ceramic Femoral Component versus Two Traditional Metallic Designs: A Prospective Short-Term Study

PURPOSE: To compare the short-term outcome of the Multigen Plus system using a symmetric ceramic femoral component with that of 2 metallic total knee replacement (TKR) systems. METHODS: 60 patients (62 knees) with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis underwent primary TKR using the Genia system (n=20), the Multigen Plus system (n=17), and the Multigen Plus system with a ceramic femoral component (n=25). Outcome was evaluated pre- and post-operatively (at 3, 12, and 24 months) using the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) score, and the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) score. RESULTS: The 3 groups did not differ significantly at all 4 time points in terms of the HSS score, WOMAC score, and SF-36 score. The range of motion was significantly less in patients treated with the Genia system. Postoperatively, the HSS and WOMAC scores improved significantly in all 3 groups, whereas the SF-36 score improved significantly (at 12 and 24 months) only in patients treated with the Multigen Plus system with a ceramic femoral component. The implant position in most patients was optimal. All radiolucent lines were within 1 mm and did not progress. CONCLUSION: The short-term outcome of the 3 TKR systems was comparable. Ceramic femoral components performed comparably to traditional metallic designs.