Background: Current techniques in total knee replacement (TKR) vary greatly. Cementing techniques in TKR are no exception. Identification of current trends would aid ongoing research into future developments.
Methods: A questionnaire was sent to all orthopaedic surgeons in Queensland, Australia. A range of factors influencing cementing techniques for the tibial plateau were investigated.
Results: Eighty-five percent of questionnaires were returned. Ninety-one percent of surgeons regularly cement the tibial plateau, 90% use some form of lavage prior to cement application, 95% of surgeons apply cement by hand only. Techniques aimed at increasing cement penetration (cement gun, intraosseous suction) are used infrequently.
Conclusions: In contrast to total hip replacement, measures are not often taken to ensure that there is penetration of cement or a complete cement mantle into the tibial plateau in TKR. This may be because of a perceived lack of evidence in modern literature. This study also illustrates the wide variation in technique in a relatively common orthopaedic operation.