Once-weekly oral medication with alendronate does not prevent migration of knee prostheses

• Background and purpose Early migration of joint replacements is an effect of poor fixation and can predict late loosening. By reducing the bone resorption after implantation of a joint replacement, it should be possible to enhance the initial fixation of the implant. We studied the effect of once-weekly treatment with alendronate after knee replacement. Patients and methods We recruited 60 patients (60 knees) with gonarthrosis who were scheduled for a total knee replacement. They were operated on with identical implants and uncemented fixation. 30 patients were treated with a bisphosphonate (alendronate) and 30 patients underwent placebo treatment. The treatment started postoperatively and continued on a weekly basis for 6 months. The fixation of the implants was measured with repeated radiostereometry for 2 years. Results There was no difference in migration of implants between the two groups. Conclusion With uncemented fixation of knee implants, no benefit of once-weekly treatment with alendronate, starting postoperatively, could be seen during a 2-year follow-up period.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Ortopedi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Orthopaedics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Osteoarthritis

Knee: surgery

Bone Resorption: radiography

Bone Remodeling: drug effects

Bone Density Conservation Agents: administration & dosage

Bone Density: drug effects

Alendronate: administration & dosage

Knee: adverse effects

Replacement

Arthroplasty

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)