J Orthop. 2020 Nov-Dec; 22: 173–178.

Lower limb kinematics of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty individuals during stair ascent

Rumit Singh Kakar,a,∗ Yang-Chieh Fu,b Tracy L. Kinsey,c Cathleen N. Brown,d Ormonde M. Mahoney,c,e and Kathy J. Simpsone

Knee

Objective

Purpose of the study was to compare lower-limb kinematics and interlimb asymmetry during stair ascent in individuals post-medial or lateral unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Methods

60 patients (20 medial; 10 lateral) post-UKA and 30 matched healthy controls performed stair ascent. Spatio-temporal, lower-limb kinematics and interlimb asymmetries during stair ascent were compared.

Results

Medial-UKA group displayed 5° less knee extension of the UKA limb than controls (p = 0.005) and 2° less than the contralateral limb during stance phase. No interlimb asymmetries were found for lateral-UKA.

Conclusion

Patients post-UKA demonstrate satisfactory lower-limb kinematics and minimal interlimb asymmetry during stair ascent compared to healthy individuals.

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