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NexGen Tibial
Stem Extension
& Augmentation
Surgical Technique
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Stem Extensions and Augments
Zimmer NexGen Tibial Stem Extension & Augmentation Surgical Technique 1
Introduction the proximal tibia, one must consider the It also allows the proximal tibial bone to
position of the stem. resist axial loading and minimizes distal
The NexGen Complete Knee Solution stress transfer and stress shielding.
This technique was designed to first
Intramedullary Tibial Instruments have establish the position and orientation Note: Care should be exercised when
been designed to provide an accurate and of the tibial stem. Then, based on that attempting to use a stem which is one size
reproducible surgical technique for position, the surface of the tibial plateau larger than the reamed canal. This practice
application in cases where augments and/ is prepared. By linking the preparation of could split the tibia and should never be
or a stem extension would be used. The the medullary canal and the tibial plateau, attempted with smooth fluted stems.
instrument system allows for preparation of the bed for the prosthesis is accurately
the proximal tibia to compensate for various prepared.
defects which are found in complex cases. Surgical Approach
This technique describes the preparation
of the proximal tibia for augments and stem Preoperative Planning Adequate exposure to the upper surface of
extensions, as well as cementing and the tibia is necessary for instrumentation
bone grafting procedures. It is imperative that a preoperative x-ray of and implantation. It is important that the
the knee and the entire tibia be available extensor mechanism be adequately
in both the A/P and lateral projections. It is retracted and that the tibia be subluxed
Rationale necessary to see the whole area where the well in front of the femur. This can be
stem will interface with the bone, and to accomplished by using the tibial retractors
Loss of bone in the proximal tibia requires see how this will affect the final position- from the NexGen instrument set (Fig. 1).
special consideration in the selection of a ing of the prosthesis and the orientation of
prosthesis. Two specific issues need to be the joint line. With these x-rays, templates
addressed regarding this decision. First, can be used for preoperative planning to
there must be a method to compensate for determine the approximate diameter and
the missing bone. Appropriately designed length of stem to be used. Furthermore,
augmentable components provide this the surgeon can obtain a good idea of what
method. Second, stable fixation must be type of augmentation will be necessary. Try
restored. In patients with compromised either the wedge or block augment to see
bone quality or quantity, intramedullary which compensates best for any anticipated
stems have been found to improve fixation bone loss.
and help with alignment. The stem in this
situation serves as a keel to resist tilting. Many tibias will have a significant bow.
In this function, it is best to use a longer The surgeon must know this in advance as Fig. 1
stem that contacts the cortex. The NexGen it may be difficult to insert the longest or
System offers both a smooth fluted stem largest diameter tibial stem. If this angular
and a sharp fluted stem. deformity is encountered, a shorter, smaller Surgical Procedure
diameter, or offset stem may be required.
Successful implantation of a tibial The tibia can be prepared either before
component with a stem extension requires It is customary to select a stem which has or after the femur. However, it is
a different surgical approach than the adequate length and diameter to achieve recommended that the distal femur be
implantation of a standard tibial prosthesis a line-to-line fit in the diaphyseal bone. prepared first because better exposure
without a stem extension. If the stem of the (Cement would normally be used on the of the tibia can then be achieved.
tibial component contacts the tibial cortex, upper surface of the tibia and keel.) This
the position of the tibial fixation plate can line-to-line fit better resists tilting forces
be directly affected. Therefore, in cutting and avoids the problem of cement deep
in the tibia should revision be necessary.
Zimmer NexGen Tibial Stem Extension & Augmentation Surgical Technique 3
Fig. 6
Zimmer NexGen Tibial Stem Extension & Augmentation Surgical Technique 5
Pin the Tibial Cutting Guide to the tibia Step Three sizing plate relative to the tibial stem
securely and use a oscillating saw with a location (Fig. 10). Pin the plate with two
0.050 blade to cut through the slots Finish the Tibia short head holding pins. Note that one of
(Fig. 8). Initiate the resection with the Select the Stemmed Tibial Sizing Plate that these pins can be inserted through the
reamer in place. Be sure the Tibial Cutting provides the desired tibial coverage. Be provisional augment. Remove the Straight
Guide is securely attached to the reamer sure to select the appropriate style AP Stem Bushing and reamer. Ensure that the
during the initial cutting process. This adds Wedged or Standard which corresponds sizing plate remains in the proper position
further stability to the cutting guide. to the boom selected in Step One. when pinning.
After cutting the medial and lateral Note: The color code designation on the
plateaus, remove the Tibial Bushing and tibial sizing plate should be compared to
Intramedullary Reamer, but leave the the color code designations on the anterior
cutting guide in place, then finish the cut. flange of the selected femoral provisional.
If a CR or CRA femoral component will be At least one of the colors listed on the
used, be sure to leave an island of bone femoral trial must match at least one color
around the PCL insertion point at the on the sizing plate to ensure that the com-
posterior aspect of the tibia. This provides ponents, in combination with the articular
for optimal ligament integrity and surface, will be kinematically matched. The
postoperative function. colors must match exactly. For example,
Yellow = Yellow. The striped colors are not
Remove the Tibial Cutting Guide.
the same as the standard colors (Yellow Fig. 9
Striped Yellow) and should not be viewed
as a match. If there is no match between
the femoral provisional and sizing plate,
adjust the size of the sizing plate being
used to yield a match.
Attach the proper size and type of augment
provisional to the sizing plate.
Place the Cemented Stem Drill Guide on Attach the proper sized Tibial Broach to the
the sizing plate and drill for the stem with Broach Impactor (Fig. 13). The broach can
the Cemented Stem Tibial Drill (Fig. 11a). Drill approx. 10mm only be attached from the front. Seat the
past engraved line
Drill approximately 10mm deeper than the impactor on the sizing plate and impact the
engraved line on the drill (Fig. 11b). This Engraved Line broach to the depth indicated by the etched
step ensures adequate clearance for the groove on the shaft aligning with the
transition length of the proximal and distal impactor handle. The broach has a built-in
diameters of the stem extension. stop so it cannot be overimpacted (Fig. 14).
If using a 12.7mm x 30mm stem extension, Remove the Broach Impactor assembly
place the Porous Stem Tibial Drill Guide on and sizing plate.
the sizing plate and drill for the stem with
the Porous Stem Tibia Drill. Drill until the
top of the drill is flush with the top of the
drill guide (Fig. 12).
Failure to attain the correct drill depth may
Fig. 11b
cause slight interference fit during implan-
tation. Remove the drill and drill guide.
If the tibia has already been reamed to a
17mm diameter or greater, this drilling step
is not required.
Fig. 13
Drill to here
Fig. 12
Fig. 14
Fig. 11a
Zimmer NexGen Tibial Stem Extension & Augmentation Surgical Technique 7
Step Four on the sizing plate and drill for the stem Bone Grafting
with the Porous Stem Tibia Drill. Drill until Bone grafting can be a very important step
Trial Reduction the top of the drill is flush with the top of in tibial reconstruction. If the defects are
Perform the trial reduction by assembling the drill guide. Failure to attain the correct not extensive, grafting is not an involved
the Stemmed Tibial Provisional, stem drill depth may cause slight interference fit process. However, if there are large defects,
extension and augment(s) for which the during implantation. Remove the drill and special techniques must be used.
bone has been prepared. With the final drill guide. If the tibia has already been
trial component assembled, insert it into reamed to a 17mm diameter or greater, this Contained defects are those which are
the tibia. Be sure that the component is drilling step is not required. surrounded by a rim of bone (Fig. 16). They
properly positioned rotationally. Check can be prepared by cleaning all the soft
to see that the trial prosthesis fits the cut Insert the stem extension implant into the tissue out of the defect. The fresh bony
surfaces with appropriate apposition to base of the tibial plate implant. When using base of the defect is then ready to accept
bone. If any undesired gaps are present, an Offset Stem Extension, use the stem morselized cancellous bone. Impact this
remove the trial component and adjust location referenced earlier and line up that bone into the defect. The prosthesis will
the bone cuts until a good intimate fit is stem location number with the etched line hold the bone in place when it is set on top
obtained. Perform a trial reduction (Fig. 15). on the posterior stem base housing. Wrap of the graft.
the tibial component in a cloth and place it
Uncontained defects are those located on
on a surgical cart. While protecting the stem
the periphery of the tibia that have at least
extension, strike it solidly on time with a
one edge which is not osseous (Fig. 17).
two-pound mallet.
They can be prepared by removing all soft
tissue which is adjacent to the remaining
Note: Hitting the stem more than once may
bone. Then, fashion a block autograft or
loosen the taper connection.
allograft to fit into the defect.
Insert and tighten the screw through
the top of the tibial tray. The extension
screw is packaged with the NexGen stem
Fig. 15 extension. This will further secure the stem
extension. Tibial augments are designed to
Step Five be secured to the tibial plate with screws
or bone cement. Screws provide automatic
Prosthesis Implantation alignment on the tibial tray and immediate
and Fixation attachment of the augment and, as with the
Fig. 16
Remove the taper plug from the appropriate stem extensions, are packaged with the
stemmed tibial component by backing out augment. If cement is used to attach the
the plug from the base of the stem. Place augment, use the Augment Holding Clamp
the Cemented Stem Drill Guide on the to stabilize the augment while the cement
sizing plate and drill approximately 10mm is curing. All augments are PMMA precoated
deeper than the engraved line on the drill. to enhance fixation to the bone cement.
This step ensures adequate clearance for
the transition length of the proximal and Pressurize the cement at the upper tibial
distal diameters of the stem extension. If surface in the routine manner. Apply
using a 12.7mm x 30mm stem extension, additional cement to the bottom surface of
place the Porous Stem Tibial Drill Guide the tibial component and keel. Implant the
final prosthesis and hold it in position until
Fig. 17
cured. Remove all excess cement.
8 Zimmer NexGen Tibial Stem Extension & Augmentation Surgical Technique
Fig. 20
Fig. 19
Zimmer NexGen Tibial Stem Extension & Augmentation Surgical Technique 9
Offset Stem Extension/ Place the correct offset tibial boom (7, The tibial cutting guide is then slipped off
Augments Technique 0, or 3) over the offset bushing and seat the boom over the headless pins. The tibial
If the patients medullary canal is offset onto the two pins on the proximal surface of boom/bushing assembly and the sizing
from the center of the proximal tibia and an the sizing plate (Figure 23). Lock the tibial plate can then be removed from the reamer.
offset stem extension is desired, follow the boom to the offset bushing by tightening The tibial boom/bushing assembly is
previous technique up through Step Two, the knob. reinserted over the reamer and is
Proximal Tibial Resection. reattached to the resection guide after it
has been inserted over the headless pins.
Reinsert the last reamer and position Using the reamers attachment to the tibial
the sizing plate and offset bushing cutting guide provides additional stability
over the reamer (Figure 21). Rotate the for the cutting guide during initial tibial
offset bushing until the sizing plate is in resection. Additionally, headed pins can
the desired location and pin the sizing now be added to increase the stability of
plate with short pins. Make note of the the cutting guide. The proximal tibial
engraved/numbered lines on the bushing surface and augment wedge cuts are
in relation to the mark on the front of the initiated (Figure 25). Remove the tibial
sizing plate. This number will coincide with boom assembly and reamer and complete
the lines and numbers on the offset stem the cuts.
extension provisionals and implants
(Figure 22).
Fig. 23
Fig. 25
Fig. 21
Fig. 24
Fig. 22
10 Zimmer NexGen Tibial Stem Extension & Augmentation Surgical Technique
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97-5988-102-00 Rev. 2 1004-K12 XML Printed in USA 1996, 1999, 2011 Zimmer, Inc.