International Orthopaedics May 2013, Volume 37, Issue 5, pp 803–808

Kinematic factors affecting postoperative knee flexion after cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty

Matsuzaki, T., Matsumoto, T., Muratsu, H. et al.
Knee

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate kinematic factors affecting postoperative knee flexion after cruciate-retaining (CR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by analysing pre- and postoperative knee kinematics.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed 58 patients with osteoarthritis who received the same implant series. Pre- and postoperative kinematics were measured intraoperatively using a navigation system. As a clinical outcome, we measured the knee flexion angle before and one year after surgery. Correlations among pre- and postoperative kinematics and postoperative flexion were analysed using simple linear regression analyses.

Results

Preoperative knee kinematics, including tibial internal rotation and anterior translation (R = 0.87, P < 0.001; R = 0.53, P < 0.001, respectively), were significantly correlated with postoperative kinematics. Preoperative varus–valgus movements improved significantly postoperatively; however, tibial internal rotation remained unchanged. Furthermore, postoperative knee flexion angle was significantly correlated with postoperative tibial internal rotation (R = 0.45, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Preoperative knee kinematics were unchanged even after CR-TKA. Postoperative tibial internal rotation is one of the most important factors affecting postoperative knee flexion.


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