Fracture of the porous-coated metal tray of a biologically fixed knee prosthesis. Report of a case.

It has been assumed that, when properly implanted, a biologically fixed device is less prone to loosening and probably to fatigue failure as well. This case demonstrates that many of the known risk factors of loosening or fatigue fracture of cemented tibial replacement devices must be considered when using devices designed for biologic fixation. Age, weight, axial alignment, and bone substrate have been identified as probable contributing factors to failure in the case reported here. Manufacturing technique and changes in material properties associated with porous coating should also be carefully tested for factors predisposing the components to fatigue failure.