Graft position at the femoral condyle affects knee mobility after posterior cruciate ligament replacement

BackgroundIn some cases posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears require surgical reconstruction. As the femoral footprint of the ligament is quite large, an ideal graft fixation position on the medial notch wall has not yet been identified. The aim of this study was to compare three different graft fixation positions within the anatomical footprint of the PCL and test it for posterior tibial translation at different knee flexion angles.MethodsIn six human knee specimens a drawer test was simulated on a material testing machine by applying load on the tibia. At three different knee flexion angles (0°, 45°, 90°) knee mobility was examined with respect to tibial posterior translation and stiffness for the following conditions: intact ligaments, detached PCL, three different graft fixation positions on the femoral condyle.ResultsReplacement of the PCL within its femoral footprint restored knee stability in terms of tibial posterior translation. Low graft position showed comparable drawer displacements to the intact condition for all knee flexion angles (p > 0.344). A higher graft position excessively reduced the posterior translation (p < 0.047) and resulted in a restricted knee mobility and a stiffer joint.ConclusionsGraft fixation positions on the femoral condyle play a crucial role in post-operative knee mobility and joint functionality after PCL replacement. Even though all graft fixation positions were placed within the femoral footprint of a native PCL, only the lower position on the medial notch wall showed comparable posterior tibial translation to an intact PCL.     

Magnetic resonance imaging study of alteration of tibiofemoral joint articulation after posterior cruciate ligament injury

Cadaveric studies have shown that the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) is an important constraint to posterior translation of the tibia. Arthroscopic studies have shown that chronic PCL injuries predispose to articular cartilage lesions in the medial compartment and the patellofemoral joint. The aim of the present study was to investigate sagittal plane articulation of the tibiofemoral joint of subjects with an isolated PCL injury.Magnetic resonance was used to generate sagittal images of 10 healthy knees and 10 knees with isolated PCL injuries. The subjects performed a supine leg press against a 150 N load. Images were generated at 15° intervals as the knee flexed from 0 to 90°. The tibiofemoral contact and the flexion facet centre (FFC) were measured from the posterior tibial cortex.The contact pattern and FFC was significantly more anterior in the injured knee from 45 to 90° of knee flexion in the medial compartment compared to the healthy knee. The greatest difference between the mean TFC points of both groups occurred at 75 and 90°, the difference being 4 mm and 5 mm respectively. The greatest difference between the mean FFC of both groups occurred at 75° of flexion, which was 3 mm. There was no significant difference in the contact pattern and FFC between the injured and healthy knees in the lateral compartment.Our findings show that there is a significant difference in the medial compartment sagittal plane articulation of the tibiofemoral joint in subjects with an isolated PCL injury.     

前交叉韧带重建术后关节粘连患者在体胫股关节运动学分析

目的 定量分析前交叉韧带重建(anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, ACLR)术后关节粘连患者在体胫股关节 6 自由度的运动学特征。 方法 纳入 15 例 ACLR 术后关节粘连患者和 15 例健康受试者,运用便携式膝关节三维运动分析系统采集受试者负重屈膝和非负重屈膝时胫股相对于股骨的运动轨迹,获取胫股关节 6 自由度的运动学数据。 结果 与健康人相比,负重屈膝 30°、45°、60°和 75°时,膝关节粘连患者患侧胫骨内旋角度明显减少(P<0. 001);负重屈膝 30° 和 45° 时,膝关节粘连患者患侧胫骨相对于股骨的外翻角度较健康人明显减小(P<0. 05)。 非负重屈膝 75°时,膝关节粘连患者患侧胫骨内移距离较健康人明显减少(P<0. 05)。 结论 关节粘连限制了胫骨相对于股骨的旋转和内外移,对于胫骨相对于股骨的前后移动影响不大。 因此,临床上应该利用各种治疗手段松解股骨内外侧沟的粘连和外侧副韧带挛缩,解决旋转和内外移动受限的问题,以最大程度恢复膝关节功能。     

UKA假体后倾角安装位置对衬垫磨损的影响

目的 研究单髁膝关节置换(unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, UKA)假体不同后倾角度安装对膝关节承载、运动及衬垫磨损的影响。方法 联合UKA骨肌多体动力学模型、有限元模型和磨损模型,分析固定式UKA假体5种后倾角安装位置情况对术后膝关节力和运动、衬垫接触应力、线性磨损深度和体积磨损量的影响。结果 后倾角0°时,衬垫的最大von Mises等效应力为24.84 MPa,接触应力为47.61 MPa, 5百万次循环(million cycle, MC)周期的磨损量为47.29 mm³。随着UKA胫骨假体后倾角的增加,步态周期内旋和后移运动均增大,摆动相的内侧关节力增大,5 MC磨损周期后衬垫von Mises等效应力与接触应力显著减小,衬垫的磨损面积、最大线性磨损深度和体积磨损量随之减少。相对于后倾角0°,后倾角为3°、5°、7°时衬垫的线性磨损深度分别减小了17.8%、19.2%、20.6%;衬垫体积磨损量分别下降了24.5%、30.9%、34.3%。结论 UKA假体考虑后倾角安装超过3°时会显著增加步态周期内旋运动和后移运动,...     

Kinematics of a cementless mobile bearing posterior cruciate ligament-retaining total knee arthroplasty

Mobile bearing (MB) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was developed to provide low contact stress and unconstrained joint motion. We studied a consecutive series of 41 knees with mobile-bearing, posterior cruciate-retaining (CR) TKAs to determine if kinematics resembled normal knees or if kinematics changed over time. Patients were studied at 3 and 21 months average follow-up with weight-bearing radiographs at full extension, 30° flexion and maximum flexion. Shape-matching techniques were used to measure TKA kinematics. Implant hyperextension, maximum flexion and total ROM increased with follow-up. Tibial rotation and condylar translations did not change with time. The medial condyle did not translate from extension to 30°, but translated 5 mm anteriorly from 30° to maximum flexion. Lateral condylar translation was 3 mm posterior from extension to 30°, with no translation from 30° to maximum flexion. Tibiofemoral kinematics in CR-MB-TKAs were stable over time, but did not replicate motions observed in healthy knees. The mobile tibial insert showed rotation and translation at both follow-up examinations, but the patterns of translation were not predictable.     

全膝关节置换个体化患者右转步态的骨肌多体动力学仿真

目的构建个体化患者全膝关节置换(total knee replacement,TKR)的骨肌多体力学模型,模拟患者下肢右转步态时体内膝关节的生物力学行为。方法以1位具体患者的相关数据为材料,基于骨肌动力学仿真软件Any Body及其依赖于力的运动学建模方法,建立与患者相对应的TKR下肢骨肌多体动力学模型,并对患者的右转步态进行模拟。通过逆动力学分析右转步态,同时预测患者膝关节接触力、关节运动、肌肉活性和韧带力。结果模型预测的胫骨-股骨关节内、外侧接触力的均值均方根误差分别为285、164 N,相关系数分别为0.95和0.61,预测的髌骨接触力均值最大值为250 N。模型预测的接触力和肌肉活性与患者实验测量结果基本一致。此外,模型预测的胫骨-股骨的伸展弯曲、内外旋和内外翻运动的均值分布范围分别为3°~47°、-3.4°~1.5°、0.2°~-1.5°,胫骨-股骨的前后、上下和内外侧平移的运动范围分别为2.6~9.0 mm、1.6~3.2 mm、4.2~5.2 mm。模型还预测了内、外侧旁系韧带力和后交叉韧带力,其最大值分别为190、108、108 N。结论所开发的模型能够预测人工膝关节体内生物力学行为,为后续研究膝关节假体临床失效问题提供强有力的计算平台。     

膝关节单髁置换术胫骨假体不同后倾角对假体磨损和功能的影响

目的 建立单髁置换术胫骨假体后倾3°和7°膝关节不同屈膝角度三维有限元模型,研究两种后倾角膝关节生物力学特性和假体磨损及其对功能的影响.方法 结合人体膝关节CT与MRI图像和第3代Oxford假体,建立胫骨假体后倾3°和7°下屈膝单髁置换术有限元模型,在股骨内外侧髁中心点上施加1 kN载荷模拟人体站立相负重,分析不同屈...     

单髁置换术应用于骨关节炎合并前交叉韧带缺失的三维有限元研究

目的采用有限元方法比较前交叉韧带(anterior cruciate ligament,ACL)完整与缺失的骨关节炎患者单髁关节置换(unicompartmental knee arthroplasty,UKA)术后膝关节生物力学特性,分析ACL缺失对膝关节单髁置换术后的运动和应力的影响。方法根据膝关节CT、MRI图像,建立有限元模型。采用逆向工程技术重建活动衬垫单髁假体,加载入该正常膝关节三维有限元模型。在不同屈膝角度(0°、30°、60°、90°、120°)加载载荷,观察在ACL完整(ACL-intact,ACLI)和缺失(ACL-deficiency,ACLD)情况下,膝关节的最大接触压和位移程度。结果 UKA-ACLI与UKA-ACLD模型在膝关节屈膝各角度,各部位(外侧股骨软骨、胫骨软骨、半月板、股骨假体、胫骨假体、衬垫)最大应力无明显差异,ACLD模型在膝关节屈膝0°和30°位前后位移明显大于ACLI模型,在膝关节屈膝0°位股骨相对内旋减小,在膝关节屈膝30°位股骨相对外旋增加。结论标准位置假体植入情况下,ACL缺失并不会导致UKA术后应力异常增大,会导致在膝关节伸直位时位移增加。     

Patellar resurfacing has minimal impact on in vitro tibiofemoral kinematics during deep knee flexion in total knee arthroplasty

BackgroundWhile patellar resurfacing can affect patellofemoral kinematics, the effect on tibiofemoral kinematics is unknown. We hypothesized that patellar resurfacing would affect tibiofemoral kinematics during deep knee flexion due to biomechanical alteration of the extensor mechanism.MethodsWe performed cruciate-retaining TKA in fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees (N = 5) and recorded fluoroscopic kinematics during deep knee flexion before and after the patellar resurfacing. To simulate deep knee flexion, cadaver knees were tested on a dynamic, quadriceps-driven, closed-kinetic chain simulator based on the Oxford knee rig design under loads equivalent to stair climbing. To measure knee kinematics, a 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional fluoroscopic registration technique was used. Component rotation, varus-valgus angle, and anteroposterior translation of medial and lateral contact points of the femoral component relative to the tibial component were calculated over the range of flexion.ResultsThere were no significant differences in femoral component external rotation (before patellar resurfacing: 6.6 ± 2.3°, after patellar resurfacing: 7.2 ± 1.8°, p = 0.36), and less than 1° difference in femorotibial varus-valgus angle between patellar resurfacing and non-resurfacing (p = 0.01). For both conditions, the medial and lateral femorotibial contact points moved posteriorly from 0° to 30° of flexion, but not beyond 30° of flexion. At 10° of flexion, after patellar resurfacing, the medial contact point was more anteriorly located than before patellar resurfacing.ConclusionDespite the potential for alteration of the knee extensor biomechanics, patellar resurfacing had minimal effect on tibiofemoral kinematics. Patellar resurfacing, if performed adequately, is unlikely to affect postoperative knee function.     

The effect of anterolateral ligament reconstruction on knee constraint: A computer model-based simulation study

BackgroundTo determine the influence of anterolateral ligament reconstruction (ALLR) on knee constraint through the analysis of knee abduction (valgus) moment when the knee is subjected to external translational (anterior) or rotational (internal) loads.MethodsA knee computer model simulated from a three-dimensional computed tomography scan of healthy male was implemented for this study. Three groups were designed: (1) intact knee, (2) combined Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Antero-Lateral Complex (ALC) deficient knee, and (3) combined ACL and Antero- lateral Ligament (ALL) reconstructed knee. The reconstructed knee group was subdivided into four groups according to attachment of reconstructed anterolateral ligament to the femoral epicondyle. Each group of simulated knees was placed at 0°, 10°, 20°, 30°, 40° and 50° of knee flexion. For each position an external anterior (drawer) 90-N force or a five-newton meter internal rotation moment was applied to the tibia. The interaction effect between the group of knees and knee flexion angle (0–50°) on knee kinematics and knee abduction moment under external loads was tested.ResultsWhen reconstructed knees were subjected to a 90-N anterior force or a five-newton meter internal rotation moment there was significant reduction in anterior translation and internal rotation compared with deficient knees. Only the ALLR procedure using posterior and proximal femoral attachment sites for graft fixation combined with ACL reconstruction allowed similar mechanical behavior to that observed in the intact knee.ConclusionsCombined ACL and ALLR using a minimally invasive method in an anatomically reproducible manner prevents excessive anterior translation and internal rotation. Using postero-proximal femoral attachment tunnel for reconstruction of ALL does not produce overconstraint of the lateral tibiofemoral compartment.     

UKA 关节线安装误差对膝关节接触力学和运动学影响

目的 针对单髁膝关节置换(unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, UKA)内侧假体松动和外侧关节软骨退化问题,通过骨肌多体动力学方法研究不同生理活动中UKA关节线安装误差对膝关节接触力学和运动学的影响。方法 以内侧自然关节线为0 mm误差,分别考虑±2 mm、±4 mm、±6 mm共6种关节线安装误差情况,建立7个内侧UKA置换的骨肌多体动力学模型,对比研究步行和下蹲运动中膝关节接触力学和运动学的变化。结果 在步行步态周期70%时,相比于0 mm误差UKA假体关节线升高2 mm时内侧假体接触力增大127.3%,外侧软骨接触力减少12.0%;在UKA假体关节线降低4 mm时内侧假体接触力接近0 N,外侧软骨接触力增大10.1%;胫股关节总接触力在关节线升高和降低2 mm时分别增大19.7%和减小14.2%。在下蹲屈膝100°时,相比于0 mm误差膝关节内侧假体接触力和胫股骨关节总接触力在UKA假体关节线升高2 mm时分别增大31.6%和11.1%,在UKA假体关节线降低2 mm时分别减小24.5%和8.5%,而膝关节外侧软骨接触力变化不大。同时,在步行步态...     

Biomechanics of the knee joint in flexion under various quadriceps forces

Bioemchanics of the entire knee joint including tibiofemoral and patellofemoral joints were investigated at different flexion angles (0° to 90°) and quadriceps forces (3, 137, and 411 N). In particular, the effect of changes in location and magnitude of restraining force that counterbalances the isometric extensor moment on predictions was investigated. The model consisted of three bony structures and their articular cartilage layers, menisci, principal ligaments, patellar tendon, and quadriceps muscle. Quadriceps forces significantly increased the anterior cruciate ligament, patellar tendon, and contact forces/areas as well as the joint resistant moment. Joint flexion, however, substantially diminished them all with the exception of the patellofemoral contact force/area that markedly increased in flexion. When resisting extensor moment by a force applied on the tibia, the force in cruciate ligaments and tibial translation significantly altered as a function of magnitude and location of the restraining force. Quadriceps activation generated large ACL forces at full extension suggesting that post ACL reconstruction exercises should avoid large quadriceps exertions at near full extension angles. In isometric extension exercises against a force on the tibia, larger restraining force and its more proximal location to the joint substantially decreased forces in the anterior cruciate ligament at small flexion angles whereas they significantly increased forces in the posterior cruciate ligament at larger flexion angles.     

膝屈曲状态胫股关节压应力光弹性分析

以胫股关节光弹材料模型模拟膝关节在屈曲０°、１０°、２０°和３０°状态下加载。结果显示胫股间接触面积内髁大于外髁，应力分布外髁大于内髁，最大应力分布于接触部位中心点附近。随着膝关节屈曲角度增加，（１）中心点后移，３０°以内胫股间打滑率内侧为４０．２３％，外侧为４５．９２％；（２）胫骨平台两中心点内移，中心点间距增加；（３）胫股间接触面积减少；（４）应力峰值增加，其增加率远大于面积减少率。实验结果提示膝关节畸形矫正时，要注意恢复胫股间的正常对合与应力分布。     

Finite element analysis of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Concerns over accelerated damage to the untreated compartment of the knee following unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), as well as the relatively poor success rates observed for lateral as opposed to the medial arthroplasty, remain issues for attention. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to assess changes to the kinematics and potential for cartilage damage across the knee joint in response to the implantation of the Oxford Mobile Bearing UKA. FE models of lateral and medial compartment arthroplasty were developed, in addition to a healthy natural knee model, to gauge changes incurred through the arthroplasty. Varus–valgus misalignments were introduced to the femoral components to simulate surgical inaccuracy or over-correction. Boundary conditions from the Stanmore knee simulator during the stance phase of level gait were used. AP translations of the tibia in the medial UKA models were comparable to the behaviour of the natural knee models (±0.6 mm deviation from pre-operative motion). Following lateral UKA, 4.1 mm additional posterior translation of the tibia was recorded than predicted for the natural knee. IE rotations of the medial UKA models were less consistent with the pre-operative knee model than the lateral UKA models (7.7° vs. 3.6° deviation). Varus misalignment of the femoral prosthesis was more influential than valgus for medial UKA kinematics, whereas in lateral UKA, a valgus misalignment of the femoral prosthesis was most influential on the kinematics. Resection of the cartilage in the medial compartment reduced the overall risk of progressive OA in the knee, whereas removing the cartilage from the lateral compartment, and in particular introducing a valgus femoral misalignment, increased the overall risk of progressive OA in the knee. Based on these results, under the conditions tested herein, both medial and lateral UKA can be said to induce kinematics of the knee which could be considered broadly comparable to those of the natural knee, and that even a 10° varus–valgus misalignment of the femoral component may not induce highly irregular kinematics. However, elevated posterior translation of the tibia in lateral UKA and large excursions of the insert may explain the higher incidence of bearing dislocation observed in some clinical studies.     

Comparison of Marker-Based and Stereo Radiography Knee Kinematics in Activities of Daily Living

Movement of the marker positions relative to the body segments obscures in vivo joint level motion. Alternatively, tracking bones from radiography images can provide precise motion of the bones at the knee but is impracticable for measurement of body segment motion. Consequently, researchers have combined marker-based knee flexion with kinematic splines to approximate the translations and rotations of the tibia relative to the femur. Yet, the accuracy of predicting six degree-of-freedom joint kinematics using kinematic splines has not been evaluated. The objectives of this study were to (1) compare knee kinematics measured with a marker-based motion capture system to kinematics acquired with high speed stereo radiography (HSSR) and describe the accuracy of marker-based motion to improve interpretation of results from these methods, and (2) use HSSR to define and evaluate a new set of knee joint kinematic splines based on the in vivo kinematics of a knee extension activity. Simultaneous measurements were recorded from eight healthy subjects using HSSR and marker-based motion capture. The marker positions were applied to three models of the lower extremity to calculate tibiofemoral kinematics and compared to kinematics acquired with HSSR. As demonstrated by normalized RMSE above 1.0, varus–valgus rotation (1.26), medial–lateral (1.26), anterior–posterior (2.03), and superior–inferior translations (4.39) were not accurately measured. Using kinematic splines improved predictions in varus–valgus (0.81) rotation, and medial–lateral (0.73), anterior–posterior (0.69), and superior–inferior (0.49) translations. Using splines to predict tibiofemoral kinematics as a function knee flexion can lead to improved accuracy over marker-based motion capture alone, however this technique was limited in reproducing subject-specific kinematics.     

Differences in impact on adjacent compartments in medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty versus high tibial osteotomy with identical valgus alignment

BackgroundIt is unclear why medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) with postoperative valgus alignment causes adjacent compartment osteoarthritis more often than high tibial osteotomy (HTO) for moderate medial osteoarthritis of the knee with varus deformity. This study used a computer simulation to evaluate differences in knee conditions between UKA and HTO with identical valgus alignment.MethodsDynamic musculoskeletal computer analyses of gait were performed. The hip–knee–ankle angle in fixed-bearing UKA was changed from neutral to 7° valgus by changing the tibial insert thickness. The hip–knee–ankle angle in open-wedge HTO was also changed from neutral to 7° valgus by opening the osteotomy gap.ResultsThe lateral tibiofemoral contact forces in HTO were larger than those in UKA until moderate valgus alignments. However, the impact of valgus alignment on increasing lateral forces was more pronounced in UKA, which ultimately demonstrated a larger lateral force than HTO. Valgus alignment in UKA caused progressive ligamentous tightness, including that of the anterior cruciate ligament, resulting in compression of the lateral tibiofemoral compartment. Simultaneously, patellofemoral shear forces were slightly increased and excessive external femoral rotation against the tibia occurred due to the flat medial tibial insert surface and decreased lateral compartment congruency. By contrast, only lateral femoral slide against the tibia occurred in excessively valgus-aligned HTO.ConclusionsIn contrast to extra-articular correction in HTO, which results from opening the osteotomy gap, intra-articular valgus correction in UKA with thicker tibial inserts caused progressive ligamentous tightness and kinematic abnormalities, resulting in early osteoarthritis progression into adjacent compartments.     

In-situ forces in the human posterior cruciate ligament in response to posterior tibial loading

Although some investigators have referred to the human posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) as the center of the knee, it has received less attention than the more frequently injured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL). Therefore, our understanding of the function of the PCL is limited. Our laboratory has developed a method of measuring thein-situ forces in a ligament without contacting that ligament by using a universal force-moment sensor (UFS). In this study, we attached a USF to the tibia and measuredin-situ forces of the human PCL as a function of knee flexion in response to tibial loading. At a 50-N posterior tibial load, the force in the PCL increased from 25±11 N (mean±SD) at 30° of knee flexion to 48±12 N at 90° of knee flexion. At 100 N, the corresponding increases were to 50±17 N and 95±17 N, respectively. Of note, at 30° knee flexion, approximately 45% of the resistance to posterior tibial loading was caused by contact between the tibia and the femoral condyles, whereas, at 90° of knee flexion, no resistance was caused by such contact. For direction of thein-situ force, the elevation angle from the tibial plateau was greater at 30° of knee flexion than at 90° of knee flexion. The data gathered on the magnitude and direction of thein-situ force of the PCL should help in our understanding of the dependence of knee flexion angle of the forces within the PCL.     

Role of the anterior intermeniscal ligament in tibiofemoral contact mechanics during axial joint loading

The anterior intermeniscal ligament (AIML) is an anatomically distinct structure that connects the anterior horns of the medial and lateral menisci. We hypothesized that both menisci work together as a unit in converting axial joint loading into circumferential hoop stresses, due to intermeniscal attachments. Therefore, loss of the AIML could lead to increased tibiofemoral contact stress and predispose to arthritic change. In this cadaveric study, we compared tibiofemoral contact pressures on axial loading, before and after sectioning of the AIML. Five fresh frozen human cadaveric knees were mounted on a linear x-y motion table and loaded in extension under axial compression of 1800N (about 2.5 times body weight for a 70kg individual), using a materials testing machine. Tibiofemoral contact pressures before and after sectioning of the AIML were measured using resistive pressure sensors. Contrary to our hypothesis, sectioning of the AIML produced no statistically significant increase in mean contact pressure, peak contact pressure or change in contact area, in either the medial or lateral compartment of the knees. This implies that the menisci work independently in converting axial loads into circumferential hoop stresses, and is probably due to their individual root attachments to the tibia. Based on this study, inadvertent sectioning of the AIML during knee surgery, e.g., arthroscopy, anterograde tibia nailing, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, meniscus transplantation and unicondylar knee replacement, is functionally insignificant.     

The contact locations in the knee during high flexion

The aim was to determine the contact locations in the knee in a simulation of a deep squatting position, for both neutral and after tibial rotation. A rig was constructed to load the knee under quadriceps action at flexion angles from 135 to 155 degrees flexion, with a mechanism for rotating the tibia internally or externally. Fiducial points on each bone were digitized in each position of the knee. After all of the tests, the entire bone surfaces were digitized, enabling computer reconstructions to be made of the multiple positions. The software then produced color maps of the contact areas. Six cadaveric knees were tested. On the patella, contact occurred over an arcuate band across the superior, lateral and medial edges, including the medial 'odd facet'. On the upper tibia, the medial contact was close to the center of the condyle, while on the lateral side, the contact was posterior. As a result, impingement occurred between the posterior tibial edge and the femoral cortex on the medial side. However, lateral impingement also occurred when the tibia was externally rotated. Due to the stiffness of the knee at these high flexion angles, the maximum tibial rotation between external and internal averaged only 16 degrees. During this rotation, there was twice as much displacement of the lateral contact than the medial contact, indicating greater stability on the medial side. In all rotations, the medial contact moved inwards to engage the intercondylar eminence which appeared to act as the pivot area. The small rotational range implied that correct foot placement was necessary for optimal mechanics during squatting activities.     

Errors in using fixed flexion facet centers to determine tibiofemoral kinematics increase fourfold for multi-radius femoral component designs with early versus late decreases in the radius of curvature

BackgroundOne method to determine tibiofemoral joint kinematics following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is to quantify movement of the anterior-posterior (AP) position of the flexion facet center (FFC) on each femoral condyle relative to the tibia during knee flexion. The primary objective was to determine how closely AP positions of fixed FFCs approximate AP positions of variable FFCs of multi-radius femoral component designs with early versus late initial transition angles (i.e. earliest flexion angle where the radius of curvature decreases markedly).MethodsVariable FFCs were determined for each femoral condyle as centers of best-fit circles to 20° segments of the sagittal profile from 0° to 120° of flexion in 15° increments. The fixed FFC of each condyle was the center of the best-fit circle from 0° to 120° of flexion. Errors in AP positions were differences between AP positions of fixed FFCs and variable FFCs.ResultsFor profiles with a late initial transition angle of 120° of flexion, the root mean square error (RMSE) was limited to 0.7 mm. For profiles with an early initial transition angle of 60° of flexion, the RMSE was 2.7 mm, nearly a fourfold increase.ConclusionsTo determine whether fixed FFCs can be used to indicate AP positions of femoral condyles with minimal RMSE < 1 mm, the initial transition angle should be found as an important first step. Condylar AP positions for designs with an early initial transition angle should not be approximated by AP positions of fixed FFCs when determining tibiofemoral kinematics.