The present study investigates the reaction of bone density as well as the possible factors influencing this reaction following a cement-free total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
Osteodensitometry scan data from 50 prospective patients with TKA was evaluated. The patients were split into two groups according to the number of follow-up investigations undertaken. No patient included in the study had received medication to increase bone density. To identify the changes in periprosthetic bone density, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) bone density measurements in defined regions of interest (ROI) were performed over a period of 24 months postoperative. The test parameters included gender, severity of arthrosis, as well as the metric parameters T-score, body mass index, cortical bone marrow index, and the varus alignment for the respective patient.
The most significant changes in bone density were recorded within the first 3 months postoperative, in particular, the highest bone density loss was found in the region of the proximal medial tibia. Moreover, significant gender-specific associations regarding changes in bone density were established.
Finally, results achieved in the present study demonstrate that the fundamental classification in defined ROI proved to be functional and effective.