Cement penetration using a tibial punch cement pressurizer in total knee arthroplasty.

This study describes a new tibial cement punch pressurizer to enhance cement penetration into the metaphyseal cancellous bone of the tibial plateau. Thirty knees of 15 patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) were randomly selected to receive the tibial cement punch pressurizer on one side, with the opposite side serving as control. Using computerized and radiographic evaluation of both knees 2 weeks postoperatively, the punch pressurizer achieved 132 times better penetration of the cement. The tibial punch cement pressurizer offers a simple technique to provide reliable cement penetration and tibial component fixation in TKA.