Tantalum is a good bone graft substitute in tibial tubercle advancement

Background Porous tantalum is reportedly a good substitute for structural bone graft in several applications. So far, its use has not been reported in tibial tuberosity anteriorization (TTA) for treatment of isolated degenerative chondral lesions of the patellofemoral joint. Questions/Purposes We asked whether the use of this material would produce similar standardized functional scores, pain (VAS), fusion rates, complications, and patient satisfaction to those for bone graft. Patients and Methods We performed a randomized, controlled trial in 101 patients (108 knees) scheduled for TTA comparing a porous tantalum implant (57 knees) with an autologous local tibial bone graft (51 knees). The minimum followup was 5 years (mean, 6.2 years; range, 5-8 years). Results At the last followup, clinical scores, fusion rates, and maintenance of the anteriorization either were better or similar for the TTA using the tantalum implant depending on the respective parameter. The operative technique was easier and shorter with the tantalum device. Complication and failure rates were greater using bone graft. Patient satisfaction was greater using the tantalum implant. Conclusions Porous tantalum provided a reasonable alternative to bone graft in TTA. Level of Evidence Level I, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence. © The Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons® 2009.