Tibial component of a knee prosthesis having an angled cement pocket

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,651, which was filed on Sep. 30, 2010 and is entitled “Femoral Component of a Knee Prosthesis Having an Angled Cement Pocket”. The entirety of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/894,651 is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to an implantable orthopaedic prosthesis, and more particularly to an implantable knee prosthesis.

[0003] During the lifetime of a patient, it may be necessary to perform a joint replacement procedure on the patient as a result of, for example, disease or trauma. The joint replacement procedure may involve the use of a prosthesis which is implanted into one or more of the patient's bones. In the case of a knee replacement procedure, a tibial tray is implanted into the patient's tibia. A bearing is secured to the tibial tray. The condyle surfaces of a replacement femoral component bear against the tibial bearing.

[0004] During implantation of the femoral component, the surgeon typically preloads bone cement on the bone-contacting surfaces of the component. The preloaded bone cement has a tendency to escape the femoral component as it is positioned on the surgically-prepared distal femur. Advancement of the femoral component through escaped bone cement is referred to as “cement plowing”. Both the escaped bone cement and the associated cement plowing lead to the performance of additional surgical steps to remove the extraneous bone cement prior to completion of the surgical procedure.

[0005] According to one aspect, an implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component that is configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared distal femur. The femoral component has an articular side that includes a posterior femoral condyle surface. A fixation side is opposite the articular side, and it includes a posterior fixation surface that extends generally in the superior/inferior direction. The posterior fixation surface has a posterior cement pocket formed therein that is deeper at its inferior end than at its superior end.

[0006] The fixation side of the femoral component may also include a distal fixation surface that extends generally in the anterior/posterior direction and a posterior-chamfer fixation surface that extends superiorly and posteriorly from the distal fixation surface in the direction toward the posterior fixation surface. The posterior-chamfer surface may have a posterior-chamfer cement pocket formed therein that is contiguous with the posterior cement pocket. Similarly, the distal fixation surface may have a distal cement pocket formed therein that is contiguous with the posterior-chamfer cement pocket.

[0007] The posterior cement pocket may be deeper at its inferior end than both the posterior-chamfer cement pocket and the distal cement pocket.

[0008] The fixation side of the femoral component may also include an anterior fixation surface that extends generally in the superior/inferior direction, and an anterior-chamfer fixation surface that extends superiorly and anteriorly from the distal fixation surface in the direction toward the anterior fixation surface. The anterior-chamfer surface may have an anterior-chamfer cement pocket formed therein that is contiguous with the distal cement pocket. The anterior fixation surface may include an anterior cement pocket formed therein that is contiguous with the anterior-chamfer cement pocket.

[0009] In an embodiment, the posterior cement pocket is deeper at its inferior end than both the anterior-chamfer cement pocket and the anterior cement pocket.

[0010] In an embodiment, the posterior fixation surface includes a mounting rim having a sidewall extending posteriorly therefrom. The sidewall defines the perimeter of the posterior cement pocket. When viewed sagittally, an inferior end of the sidewall is wider than a superior end of the sidewall.

[0011] According to another aspect, an implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared distal femur. The femoral component may include an articular side having a posterior femoral condyle surface, and a fixation side that is opposite the articular side. The fixation side may include a posterior fixation surface that extends generally in the superior/inferior direction. The posterior fixation surface may include a peripheral rim, a bottom wall spaced apart posteriorly from the peripheral rim, and a sidewall extending posteriorly from the posterior rim to the bottom wall. When viewed sagittally, an imaginary plane defined by the peripheral rim forms an acute angle with an imaginary plane defined by the bottom wall.

[0012] When viewed sagittally, an inferior end of the sidewall may be wider than a superior end of the sidewall.

[0013] In an embodiment, the sidewall and the bottom wall collectively define a cement pocket.

[0014] The articular side may include a posterior lateral femoral condyle surface. The articular side may also include a posterior medial femoral condyle surface.

[0015] According to another aspect, an implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial tray configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared proximal tibia and a bearing coupled to the tibial tray. The bearing includes a medial articular surface and a lateral articular surface. The knee prosthesis may also include a femoral component configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared distal femur. The femoral component may include a lateral condyle surface configured to articulate with the lateral articular surface of the bearing and a medial condyle configured to articulate with the medial articular surface of the bearing. The femoral component may also include a posterior lateral fixation surface opposite the lateral condyle surface, with the posterior lateral fixation surface extending in the superior/inferior direction. The femoral component also includes a posterior medial fixation surface opposite the medial condyle surface, with the posterior medial fixation surface extending in the superior/inferior direction. Both the posterior medial fixation surface and the posterior lateral fixation surface may include a peripheral rim, a bottom wall spaced apart posteriorly from the peripheral rim, and a sidewall extending posteriorly from the posterior rim to the bottom wall. When viewed sagittally, an imaginary plane defined by the peripheral rim forms an acute angle with an imaginary plane defined by the bottom wall.

[0016] When viewed sagittally, an inferior end of the sidewall of the posterior medial fixation surface is wider than its superior end.

[0017] When viewed sagittally, an inferior end of the sidewall of the posterior lateral fixation surface is wider than its superior end.

[0018] The sidewall and the bottom wall of the posterior medial fixation surface collectively define a cement pocket.

[0019] The sidewall and the bottom wall of the posterior lateral fixation surface collectively also define a cement pocket.

[0020] According to another aspect, an implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared distal femur. The femoral component has an articular side that includes a femoral condyle surface and a fixation side that is opposite the articular side. The fixation side includes a fixation surface that extends generally in the superior/inferior direction. The fixation surface has a cement pocket formed therein that is deeper at its inferior end than at its superior end.

[0021] The fixation surface may include a mounting rim that has a sidewall extending therefrom. The sidewall defines the perimeter of the cement pocket. When viewed sagittally, the inferior end of the sidewall is wider than the superior end of the sidewall.

[0022] When viewed sagittally, an imaginary plane defined by the peripheral rim forms an acute angle with an imaginary plane defined by the bottom wall.

[0023] The fixation surface may include a posterior fixation surface having a posterior cement pocket formed therein. In such an arrangement, the bottom wall is spaced apart posteriorly from the peripheral rim, and the sidewall extends posteriorly from the posterior rim to the bottom wall.

[0024] The fixation surface may include an anterior fixation surface having an anterior cement pocket formed therein. In such an arrangement, the bottom wall is spaced apart anteriorly from the peripheral rim, and the sidewall extends anteriorly from the anterior rim to the bottom wall.

[0025] The femoral component may be embodied as a unicompartmental femoral component.

[0026] According to another aspect, an implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial component configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared proximal tibia. The tibial component includes a superior side, an inferior side that is opposite the superior side, and a fixation member extending inferiorly from the inferior side. The inferior side of the tibial component includes an inferior fixation surface that extends generally in the transverse plane, with such an inferior fixation surface having a posterior cement pocket formed therein. The posterior cement pocket is deeper at its anterior end than at its posterior end.

[0027] The implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis may also include a tibial bearing component. In such a case, the tibial component may be embodied as a tibial tray, with the tibial bearing component being positioned on the tibial tray. The tibial tray may be metallic and the tibial bearing may be polymeric.

[0028] In other embodiments, the superior side of the tibial component may include a medial bearing surface configured to articulate with the medial condyle surface of a femoral component, and a lateral bearing surface configured to articulate with the lateral condyle surface of the femoral component. In such a case, the tibial component may be embodied as a monolithic polymeric component.

[0029] The inferior fixation surface of the tibial component may include a mounting rim having a sidewall extending superiorly therefrom. The sidewall defines the perimeter of the posterior cement pocket. When viewed sagittally, an anterior end of the sidewall is wider than a posterior end of the sidewall.

[0030] According to another aspect, an implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a tibial component configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared proximal tibia. The tibial component includes a superior side, an inferior side that is opposite the superior side, and a fixation member extending inferiorly from the inferior side. The inferior side of the tibial component includes an inferior fixation surface that extends generally in the transverse plane. The inferior fixation surface includes a peripheral rim, a top wall spaced apart superiorly from the peripheral rim, and a sidewall extending superiorly from the posterior rim to the top wall. When viewed sagittally, an imaginary plane defined by the peripheral rim forms an acute angle with an imaginary plane defined by the top wall.

[0031] When viewed sagittally, an anterior end of the sidewall is wider than a posterior end of the sidewall.

[0032] The sidewall and the top wall collectively define a cement pocket.

[0033] The implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis may also include a tibial bearing component. In such a case, the tibial component may be embodied as a tibial tray, with the tibial bearing component being positioned on the tibial tray. The tibial tray may be metallic and the tibial bearing may be polymeric.

[0034] In other embodiments, the superior side of the tibial component may include a medial bearing surface configured to articulate with the medial condyle surface of a femoral component, and a lateral bearing surface configured to articulate with the lateral condyle surface of the femoral component. In such a case, the tibial component may be embodied as a monolithic polymeric component.

[0035] According to another aspect, an implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component having a medial condyle surface and a lateral condyle surface. The implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis also includes a bearing having a medial bearing surface configured to articulate with the medial condyle surface of the femoral component, and a lateral bearing surface configured to articulate with the lateral condyle surface of the femoral component. The implantable orthopaedic knee prosthesis further includes a tibial tray positioned below the bearing. The tibial tray includes a superior side, an inferior side that is opposite the superior side, and a fixation member extending inferiorly from the inferior side. The inferior side of the tibial tray includes an inferior fixation surface that extends generally in the transverse plane. The inferior fixation surface includes a peripheral rim, a top wall spaced apart superiorly from the peripheral rim, and a sidewall extending superiorly from the posterior rim to the top wall. When viewed sagittally, an imaginary plane defined by the peripheral rim forms an acute angle with an imaginary plane defined by the top wall.

[0036] When viewed sagittally, an anterior end of the sidewall is wider than a posterior end of the sidewall.

[0037] The sidewall and the top wall collectively define a cement pocket.

[0038] The tibial tray may be metallic and the tibial bearing may be polymeric.

[0039] In an embodiment the tibial bearing is rotatable relative to the tibial tray.

[0040] In another embodiment, the tibial bearing is fixed in position relative to the tibial tray.

[0054] While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0055] Terms representing anatomical references, such as anterior, posterior, medial, lateral, superior, inferior, etcetera, may be used throughout this disclosure in reference to both the orthopaedic implants described herein and a patient's natural anatomy. Such terms have well-understood meanings in both the study of anatomy and the field of orthopaedics. Use of such anatomical reference terms in the specification and claims is intended to be consistent with their well-understood meanings unless noted otherwise.

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, there is shown a knee prosthesis 10. The knee prosthesis 10 includes a femoral component 12, a tibial tray 14, and a bearing 16. The femoral component 12 is configured to be secured to a surgically-prepared end of a patient's distal femur (not shown), whereas the tibial tray 14 is configured to be secured to a surgically-prepared end of a patient's proximal tibia (not shown).

[0057] The tibial tray 14 includes a platform 18 having a fixation member, such as an elongated stem 20, extending away from its lower surface. The bearing 16 includes a stem 22 (see FIG. 2) that is positionable within a complementary bore 24 (see FIG. 2) in the tibial tray 14. In such a way, the bearing 16 is free to rotate relative to the tibial tray 14. In other embodiments, the bearing 16 may be snap-fit or otherwise secured to the tibial tray 14. In such a way, the bearing 16 is fixed relative to the tibial tray 14 (i.e., it is not rotative or moveable in the anterior/posterior or medial/lateral directions). It should be appreciated that in such embodiments, other fixation members, such as one or more short pegs or posts, may be used in lieu of the elongated stem 20.

[0058] The bearing 16 includes a lateral articular surface 26 and a medial articular surface 28. The articular surfaces 26, 28 are configured to articulate with a lateral condyle surface 30 and a medial condyle surface 32, respectively, of the femoral component 12. Specifically, the femoral component 12 is configured to emulate the configuration of the patient's natural femoral condyles, and, as such, the lateral condyle surface 30 and the medial condyle surface 32 are configured (e.g., curved) in a manner which mimics the condyles of the natural femur. The lateral condyle surface 30 and the medial condyle surface 32 are spaced apart from one another thereby defining an intercondylar notch therebetween.

[0059] The components of the knee prosthesis 10 that engage the natural bone, such as the femoral component 12 and the tibial tray 14, may be constructed with a biocompatible metal, such as a cobalt chrome alloy, although other materials, such as ceramics, may also be used. The bone engaging surfaces of these components may be textured to facilitate cementing the component to the bone. Such surfaces may also be porous coated to promote bone ingrowth for permanent fixation.

[0060] The bearing 16 may be constructed with a material that allows for smooth articulation between the bearing 16 and the femoral component 12, such as a polymeric material. One such polymeric material is polyethylene such as ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), although other biocompatible polymers may be used.

[0061] Although the femoral component 12 is herein illustratively described as a monolithic component, it is characterized by a number of “regions” or “structures”. For example, the anterior structure of the femoral component 12 is referred to as an anterior flange 34. The anterior flange 34 transitions to an anterior chamfer region 36, which, in turn, transitions to a distal condylar region 38. The distal condylar region 38 transitions to a posterior chamfer region 40. A pair of posterior femoral condyles 42 form the posterior structure of the femoral component 12.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 2, both the lateral condyle surface 30 and the medial condyle surface 32 are formed in the articular side 44 of the femoral component 12. A fixation side 48 is opposite the articular side 44, and is the side of the femoral component 12 that contacts the surgically-prepared distal femur of the patient. The fixation side 48 includes multiple surfaces that mate with planar surfaces surgically cut into the patient's distal femur. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, a pair of posterior fixation surfaces 50 are opposite the posterior condyle surfaces 52, with one of the posterior fixation surfaces 50 being the medial fixation surface, the other the lateral fixation surface. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the posterior fixation surfaces 50 extend generally in the superior/inferior direction. A pair of distal fixation surfaces 58 (one being medially positioned, the other the laterally positioned) are opposite the distal condyle surfaces 60. The distal fixation surfaces 58 extend generally in the anterior/posterior direction. The medial and lateral posterior-chamfer fixation surfaces 54 are opposite the posterior-chamfer condyle surfaces 56. The medial and lateral posterior-chamfer fixation surfaces 54 extend superiorly and posteriorly from their respective medial and lateral distal fixation surfaces 58 in the direction toward their respective posterior fixation surfaces 50. The medial and lateral anterior-chamfer fixation surfaces 62 are opposite the anterior-chamfer condyle surfaces 64, respectively, and extend superiorly and anteriorly away from their respective distal fixation surfaces 58 in the direction toward an anterior fixation surface 66. The anterior fixation surface 66 is opposite the anterior condyle surface 68 and, like the posterior fixation surfaces 50, extends generally in the superior/inferior direction.

[0063] Each of the fixation surfaces has a cement pocket formed therein. In particular, a posterior cement pocket 70 is formed in each of the posterior fixation surfaces 50, a posterior-chamfer cement pocket 72 is formed in each of the posterior-chamfer fixation surfaces 54, a distal cement pocket 74 is formed in each of the distal fixation surfaces 58, an anterior-chamfer cement pocket 76 is formed in each of the anterior-chamfer fixation surfaces 62, and an anterior cement pocket 78 is formed in the anterior fixation surface 66. In the illustrative embodiment described herein, the adjacent cement pockets are contiguous with one another such that a single, continuous cement pocket is formed in the fixation side 48 of the femoral component.

[0064] Each of the cement pockets 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 is formed by a sidewall 80 that extends away from a mounting rim 82. As can be seen in FIGS. 3-5, the sidewall 80 forms the perimeter of the respective cement pockets 70, 72, 74, 76, 78. A bottom wall 84 is spaced apart from the mounting rim 82 and is connected thereto by the sidewall 80. In such a way, the sidewall 80 and the bottom wall 84 collectively define the respective cement pockets 70, 72, 74, 76, 78.

[0065] The depth (D₁) of each of the posterior-chamfer cement pocket 72, the distal cement pocket 74, the anterior-chamfer cement pocket 76, and the anterior cement pocket 78 is approximately equal. In the illustrative embodiment described herein, each of the cement pockets 72, 74, 76, and 78 is approximately 1 mm deep (i.e., D₁=1 mm).

[0066] The posterior cement pocket 70, on the other hand, is angled and, as a result, is deeper at its inferior end than on its superior end. In particular, as shown in FIG. 5, the posterior cement pocket 70 is formed by a sidewall 80′ that extends posteriorly from the mounting rim 82′ of the posterior fixation surface 50 to the bottom wall 84′. When viewed sagittally, such as in the cross sectional view of FIGS. 4 and 5, the inferior end 86 of the sidewall 80′ is wider than the superior end 88 of the sidewall 80′. As a result, the posterior cement pocket 70 is deeper at its inferior end 90 than at its superior end 92. In the illustrative embodiment described herein, the superior end 92 of the posterior cement pocket 70 is approximately equal to the depth of the other cement pockets 72, 74, 76, and 78. In other words, the superior end 92 of the posterior cement pocket 70 is approximately 1 mm deep (i.e., D₁=1 mm). However, the inferior end 90 of the posterior cement pocket 70 is illustratively 1.5 mm deep (i.e., D₂=1.5 mm). It should be appreciated that other dimensions may also be used to fit the need of a given design of the femoral component 12.

[0067] Such an arrangement creates an angled bottom wall 84′. In particular, the bottom wall 84′ slopes anteriorly from its inferior end 86 to its superior end 88. This sloped arrangement is illustratively shown in the cross sectional view of FIG. 5. As can be seen in that view, an imaginary plane 96 is defined by the mounting rim 82′ of the posterior fixation surface 50, whereas the bottom wall 84′ of the posterior fixation surface 50 defines an imaginary plane 94. The two imaginary planes 94, 96 form an acute angle (θ) therebetween. Such an acute angle is indicative of the slope of the bottom wall 84′ relative to the mounting rim 82′.

[0068] During a surgical procedure to implant the femoral component 12 to the surgically-prepared distal end of the patient's femur, the cement pockets 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 are preloaded with bone cement. The femoral component 12 is then positioned on the patient's surgically-prepared distal femur, which has also been coated in bone cement. The angled arrangement of posterior cement pocket 70 hydraulically loads the bone cement within the cement pocket. This enhances containment of the bone cement and reduces the occurrences of cement plowing. The arrangement of the posterior cement pocket 70 also improves filling of the bone cement and pressurization which, in turn, leads to enhanced bonding of the femoral component 12 to the distal femur.

[0069] Referring now to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the femoral component 12 is shown. In this embodiment, both the posterior cement pocket 70 and the anterior cement pocket 78 are angled. As such, both cement pockets 70, 78 are deeper at their respective inferior ends than at their respective superior ends. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the posterior cement pocket 70 is essentially the same as discussed above in regard to FIGS. 1-5. As to the anterior cement pocket 78, it is formed by a sidewall 80″ that extends anteriorly from the mounting rim 82″ of the anterior fixation surface 66 to the bottom wall 84″. When viewed sagittally, such as in the cross sectional view of FIG. 6, the inferior end 106 of the sidewall 80″ is wider than the superior end 108 of the sidewall 80″. As a result, like the posterior cement pocket 70, the anterior cement pocket 78 is deeper at its inferior end 110 than at its superior end 112. In the illustrative embodiment described herein, the superior end 112 of the anterior cement pocket 78 is approximately equal to the depth of the other cement pockets 72, 74, and 76. In other words, the superior end 112 of the anterior cement pocket 70 is approximately 1 mm deep (i.e., D₁=1 mm). However, the inferior end 110 of the anterior cement pocket 78 is illustratively 1.5 mm deep (i.e., D₂=1.5 mm). It should be appreciated that other dimensions may also be used to fit the need of a given design of the femoral component 12.

[0070] Such an arrangement creates an angled bottom wall 84″. In particular, the bottom wall 84″ of the anterior cement pocket 78 slopes posteriorly from its inferior end 106 to its superior end 108. This sloped arrangement is illustratively shown in FIG. 6 in which an imaginary plane 114 is defined by the mounting rim 82″ of the anterior fixation surface 66, whereas the bottom wall 84″ of the anterior fixation surface 66 defines an imaginary plane 116. The two imaginary planes 114, 116 form an acute angle (β) therebetween. Such an acute angle is indicative of the slope of the bottom wall 84″ relative to the mounting rim 82″.

[0071] During a surgical procedure to implant the femoral component 12 of FIG. 6 to the surgically-prepared distal end of the patient's femur, the cement pockets 70, 72, 74, 76, 78 are preloaded with bone cement. The femoral component 12 is then positioned on the patient's surgically-prepared distal femur, which has also been coated in bone cement. The angled arrangement of the cement pockets 70, 78 hydraulically loads the bone cement within the cement pockets 70, 78. This enhances containment of the bone cement and reduces the occurrences of cement plowing. This also improves filling of the bone cement and pressurization which, in turn, leads to enhanced bonding of the femoral component 12 to the distal femur.

[0072] It should be appreciated that although the embodiment of FIG. 6 illustratively shows both the posterior cement pocket 70 and the anterior cement pocket 78 being angled, it should be appreciated that other embodiments are also contemplated. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-5, the femoral component 12 may be embodied with only the posterior cement pocket 70 being angled. Alternatively, the femoral component 12 may be embodied with only the anterior cement pocket 78 being angled.

[0073] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the femoral component 12 may also be embodied as a unicompartmental femoral component. Like the other embodiments described herein, the posterior cement pocket 70 of the unicompartmental femoral component 12 may be angled. The angled arrangement of posterior cement pocket 70 hydraulically loads the bone cement within the cement pocket. This enhances containment of the bone cement and reduces the occurrences of cement plowing. The arrangement of the posterior cement pocket 70 also improves filling of the bone cement and pressurization which, in turn, leads to enhanced bonding of the unicompartmental femoral component 12 to the distal femur.

[0074] Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, the concepts of the present disclosure may also be used in the design of a tibial component such as the tibial tray 14 of FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIG. 10, a flat planar surface 118 is formed in the superior side 120 of the tibial tray 14. Specifically, the superior surface 118 of the tibial tray's platform 18 defines a smooth planar surface on which the bearing 16 of the knee prosthesis 10 is free to rotate when the bearing's stem 22 (see FIG. 2) is positioned within the complementary bore 24 (see FIG. 2) of the tibial tray 14. In other embodiments, the superior surface 118 of the tibial tray's platform 18 may be embodied with one or more features on which the bearing 16 may be snap-fit or otherwise secured to the tibial tray 14. In such a way, the bearing 16 is fixed relative to the tibial tray 14 (i.e., it is not rotative or moveable in the anterior/posterior or medial/lateral directions).

[0075] The tibial tray's inferior side 122 is opposite its superior side 120, and is the side of the tibial tray 14 that contacts the surgically-prepared proximal tibia of the patient. The elongated stem 20 extends inferiorly away from the tibial tray's inferior side 122. The tibial tray's inferior side 122 includes multiple surfaces that mate with planar surfaces surgically cut into the patient's proximal tibia. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, an inferior fixation surface 124 extends generally in the transverse plane (i.e., in the direction of the anatomical transverse plane).

[0076] The inferior fixation surface 124 has a cement pocket 126 formed therein. In the illustrative embodiment described herein, the tibial tray's fins 128 divide the cement pocket 126 into separate cement pockets at various locations along the tray's medial/lateral width. In particular, an anterior cement pocket 130 is positioned anteriorly of the tray's fins 128 with a posterior cement pocket 132 being positioned posteriorly of the tray's fins 128. However, since the fins 128 do not stretch to the medial and lateral edges of the tray 14, the cement pockets 130, 132 are contiguous with one another such that a single, continuous cement pocket 126 is formed in the inferior side 122 of the tibial tray 14. It should be appreciated; however, that the tibial tray 14 could be embodied with one or more separate cement pockets.

[0077] Each of the cement pockets 126, 130, 132 is formed by a sidewall 140 that extends superiorly away from a mounting rim 142. As can be seen in FIGS. 9-11, the sidewall 140 forms the perimeter of the respective cement pockets 126, 130, 132. A top wall 144 is spaced apart from the mounting rim 142 and is connected thereto by the sidewall 140. In such a way, the sidewall 140 and the top wall 144 collectively define the respective cement pockets 126, 130, 132.

[0078] The cement pocket 126 is angled and, as a result, deeper at its anterior end than on its posterior end. In particular, when viewed sagittally, such as in the cross sectional view of FIGS. 10 and 11, the anterior end 146 of the sidewall 140 is wider than the posterior end 148 of the sidewall 140. As a result, the cement pocket 126 is deeper at its anterior end 150 than at its posterior end 152. Because the individual cement pockets formed by the fins 128 (i.e., the anterior cement pocket 130 and the posterior cement pocket 132) are, in essence, “sub-pockets” of the larger cement pocket 126, each of the cement pockets 130, 132 has a similar arrangement in which their respective anterior ends are deeper than their respective posterior ends. In particular, the anterior end 154 of the anterior cement pocket 130 is deeper than its posterior end 156. Likewise, the anterior end 158 of the posterior cement pocket 132 is deeper than its posterior end 160.

[0079] Such an arrangement creates an angled top wall 144. In particular, the top wall 144 slopes inferiorly from its anterior end 166 to its posterior end 168. This sloped arrangement is illustratively shown in the cross sectional views of FIGS. 10 and 11. As can be seen in that view, an imaginary plane 170 is defined by the mounting rim 142 of the inferior fixation surface 124, whereas the top wall 144 of the inferior fixation surface 124 defines an imaginary plane 172. The two imaginary planes 170, 172 form an acute angle (α) therebetween. Such an acute angle is indicative of the slope of the top wall 144 relative to the mounting rim 142.

[0080] During a surgical procedure to implant the tibial tray 14 to the surgically-prepared proximal end of the patient's tibia, the cement pocket 126 is preloaded with bone cement. The tibial tray 14 is then positioned on the patient's surgically-prepared proximal tibia, which has also been coated in bone cement. The angled arrangement of cement pocket 126 hydraulically loads the bone cement within the cement pocket. This enhances containment of the bone cement and reduces the occurrences of cement plowing. The arrangement of the cement pocket 126 also forces any excess bone cement out the anterior side of the tibial tray 14 where it can be readily wiped away or otherwise removed by the surgeon.

[0081] Referring now to FIG. 12, the tibial component may also be embodied as an all-poly tibial component. That is, in lieu of a modular design in which the tibial tray and the bearing are embodied as separate components, the concepts of the present disclosure may be utilized in the design of a monolithic polymeric tibial component. In such a case, the lateral articular surface 26 and the medial articular surface 28 configured to articulate with a lateral condyle surface 30 and a medial condyle surface 32 of the femoral component 12, respectively, are formed in the superior side 120 of the tibial component. Like the tibial tray 14 described herein, the cement pocket 126 of the all-poly tibial component of FIG. 12 may be angled. The angled arrangement of cement pocket 126 hydraulically loads the bone cement within the cement pocket and forces any excess bone cement out the anterior side of the all-poly tibial component where it can be readily wiped away or otherwise removed by the surgeon.

[0082] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such an illustration and description is to be considered as exemplary and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only illustrative embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

[0083] There are a plurality of advantages of the present disclosure arising from the various features of the apparatus, system, and method described herein. It will be noted that alternative embodiments of the apparatus, system, and method of the present disclosure may not include all of the features described yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise their own implementations of the apparatus, system, and method that incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention and fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.