Effects of kneeling on tibiofemoral contact pressure and area in posterior cruciate-retaining and posterior cruciate-sacrificing total knee arthroplasty

The objective of this study was to measure the effect of kneeling on tibiofemoral contact following cruciate-retaining and posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty. Five cadaveric knees were tested on a custom testing system that allowed physiologic muscle loading. Three forces were used to simulate nonkneeling, double-stance kneeling, and single-stance kneeling at flexion angles of 90°, 105°, 120°, and 135°. Tibiofemoral contact areas and pressures were measured using the Tekscan (South Boston, MA) system. Kneeling increased contact areas and pressures in both designs with variable significance (P < .05). Moving from double- to single-stance kneeling increased pressures in the cruciate-retaining group but decreased pressures in the posterior-stabilized group (P < .05). Chronic, repetitive kneeling after total knee arthroplasty may increase polyethylene wear due to increased contact areas and pressures.