Kinematics of mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty compared to native: results from an in vitro study

Introduction

Fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) closely replicates native knee kinematics. As few studies have assessed kinematics following mobile-bearing (MB) UKA, the current study aimed to investigate whether MB UKA preserves natural knee kinematics.

Materials and methods

Seven fresh-frozen full-leg cadaver specimens were prepared and mounted in a kinematic rig that allowed all degrees of freedom at the knee. Three motion patterns, passive flexion–extension (0°–110° flexion), open-chain extension (5°–70° flexion) and squatting (30°–100° flexion), were performed pre- and post-implantation of a medial MB UKA and compared in terms of rotational and translational knee joint kinematics in the different anatomical planes, respectively.

Results

In terms of frontal plane rotational kinematics, MB UKA specimens were in a more valgus orientation for all motion patterns. In the axial plane, internal rotation of the tibia before and after UKA was consistent, regardless of motion task, with no significant differences. In terms of frontal plane, i.e., inferior–superior, translations, the FMCC was significantly higher in UKA knees in all flexion angles and motor tasks, except in early flexion during passive motion. In terms of axial plane, i.e., anteroposterior (AP), translations, during open-chain activities, the femoral medial condyle center (FMCC) tended to be more posterior following UKA relative to the native knee in mid-flexion and above. AP excursions of the FMCC were small in all tested motions, however. There was substantial AP translation of the femoral lateral condyle center during passive motion before and after UKA, which was significantly different for flexion angles > 38°.

Conclusions

Our study data demonstrate that the kinematics of the unloaded knee following MB UKA closely resemble those of the native knee while relative medial overstuffing with UKA will result in the joint being more valgus. However, replacing the conforming and rigidly fixed medial meniscus with a mobile inlay may successfully prevent aberrant posterior translation of the medial femoral compartment during passive motion and squatting motion.