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Adult Reconstruction
intermediate
X-Type

Polyethylene Insert Thickness in TKA

Knee Arthroplasty

A 68-year-old woman with severe knee osteoarthritis is undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty. After performing the bony cuts, the surgeon assesses the flexion and extension gaps and notes that with good ligament balance, a relatively thin polyethylene insert would be required. The registrar asks about the minimum acceptable insert thickness. Regarding polyethylene insert thickness in total knee arthroplasty:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The minimum recommended polyethylene insert thickness in TKA is generally 8-10mm; thinner inserts ha...

B

If the flexion-extension gaps are too tight requiring a thin insert, the surgeon should consider fur...

C

Polyethylene thickness has no effect on wear rates; thinner inserts actually last longer due to less...

D

The relationship between polyethylene thickness and wear involves the concept of conformity and cont...

E

Registry data confirms that TKAs with thin polyethylene inserts have higher revision rates; the fail...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option