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Mobile-bearing (MB) unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has high conformity between the femoral articular surface and the meniscal bearing; therefore, the surface and subsurface contact stress is reduced. Additionally, the survival rate is high. However, the in vivo kinematics of MB UKA knees during high-flexion activities of daily living remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate in vivo the three-dimensional kinematics of MB UKA knees during high-flexion activities of daily living. A total of 17 knees of 17 patients who could achieve kneeling after MB UKA were examined. Under fluoroscopy, each patient performed squatting and kneeling motions. To estimate the spatial position and orientation of the knee, a two-dimensional/three-dimensional registration technique was used. We evaluated the femoral rotation and varus-valgus angle relative to the tibia and the anteroposterior translation of the medial sulcus (medial side) and lateral epicondyle (lateral side) of the femur on the plane perpendicular to the tibial mechanical axis in each flexion angle. From 130° to 140° of flexion, the femoral external rotation during squatting was significantly smaller than that during kneeling. Additionally, the medial side of the femur during squatting was significantly more posteriorly located compared with that during kneeling. There was no significant difference between squatting and kneeling in terms of the lateral side of the femur and the varus-valgus position in each flexion angle. At high flexion angle, the kinematics of MB UKA knees may differ depending on the performance., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: The single-radius design is one of the major total knee arthroplasty (TKA) designs and widely used all over the world. The objective of this study was to compare in vivo kinematics between the anteroposterior (AP) single-radius design with mediolateral (ML) single-radius (Non Restricted Geometry; NRG) and ML dual-radius (Triathlon) during stair activities., Methods: A total of 21 knees in 18 patients (NRG group: 10 knees in 7 patients, Triathlon group: 11 knees in 11 patients) with a clinically successful posterior stabilized TKA were examined. Under fluoroscopic surveillance, each patient performed stair ascending and descending motions. In vivo kinematics were analyzed using 2D/3D registration technique. The knee flexion angle, rotation angle, varus-valgus angle, AP translation of the femorotibial contact point for both the medial and lateral sides of the knee, and post-cam engagement were evaluated., Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups in rotation angle and AP translation at each flexion angle. Examining the varus-valgus angle, the NRG group showed varus position at an early flexion angle during both stair activities.Post-cam engagement was observed in both groups during both stair activities. The mean flexion angle of engagement in the NRG group, the post of which was located anterior to the Triathlon, was larger than that in the Triathlon group during both stair activities., Conclusion: Despite the same AP single-radius TKA, ML single-radius might affect varus motion at an early flexion angle., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Difference in the finite helical axis of the knee joints before and after anterior cruciate ligament-preserving knee arthroplasties such as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty remains unknown. This study compared the knee finite helical axes before and after bi-cruciate-preserving knee arthroplasty., Methods: Patients undergoing medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty were included. Under fluoroscopy, participants performed a deep knee bend before and after surgery. A two/three-dimensional registration technique was employed to measure tibiofemoral kinematics. Femoral finite helical axis was calculated in a flexion range of 0-120° using 30° windows (early-, mid-, late-, and deep-flexion phases)., Findings: In unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, the preoperative knee vertical angle was larger than the postoperative vertical angle in mid- and deep-flexion phases. The postoperative knee vertical angle was smaller in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty than in bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty. In unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, the preoperative horizontal angle was smaller than the postoperative horizontal angle in the early-flexion phase. However, in bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty, the preoperative horizontal angle was larger than the postoperative horizontal angle in mid- and deep-flexion phases. The horizontal angle was smaller before unicompartmental knee arthroplasty than that before bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty in early-, mid-, and deep-flexion phases. However, the vertical angle was larger after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty than that after bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty in the early-flexion phase., Interpretation: The knee finite helical axes before and after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty differed from those before and after bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To analyse the effects of bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (BCR-TKA) on the tensile force of the collateral ligaments during two deep knee flexion activities, cross-leg sitting and squatting., Methods: Thirteen patients (15 knees) treated using bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (BCR-TKA) for knee joint osteoarthritis were analysed. Knee joint kinematics during cross-leg sitting (open-chain flexion) and squatting (closed-chain flexion) were evaluated through fluoroscopy. The tensile force was calculated in vivo based on the change in the distance between the femoral and tibial attachment areas for the anterior, middle, and posterior components of the superficial (sMCL) and deep (dMCL) medial collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Differences in the calculated tensile forces of the collateral ligaments were evaluated using repeated measures of analysis of variance, with post hoc pairwise comparison (Bonferroni test). Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05., Results: The correction of the coronal alignment was related to the surgical technique, not to the implant design. No significant change in the tensile force in all three components of the sMCL from pre- to post-TKA (n.s.) was observed. For dMCL, a pre- to post-TKA change in the tensile force was observed only for the anterior dMCL component (p = 0.03). No change was observed in the tensile force of the anterior LCL with increasing flexion, with no difference in pre- to post-TKA and between activities (n.s.). In contrast, tensile force in the middle LCL slightly decreased with increasing flexion during squatting, pre- and post-TKA. After surgery, lower forces were generated at 40° of flexion (p = 0.04). Tensile force in the posterior LCL was higher in extension than flexion, which remained high in the extension post-TKA. However, after surgery, lower tensile forces were generated at 10° (p = 0.04) and 40° (p = 0.04) of flexion., Conclusions: The in vivo change in tensile forces of the collateral ligaments of the knee before and after BCR-TKA can inform the development of appropriate ligament balancing strategies to facilitate recovery of deep knee flexion activities after TKA, as well as for continued improvement of BCR-TKA designs., Level of Evidence: III., (© 2023. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, Arthroscopy (ESSKA).)

Bicruciate-stabilized total knee arthroplasty (BCS TKA) has been developed to improve TKA kinematic performance. However, the relationship between in vivo kinematics and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) has not been well described. This study was performed to clarify the relationship between in vivo kinematics and PROs in a cohort of patients undergoing BCS TKA. Forty knees were evaluated using a two-dimensional to three-dimensional registration technique obtained from sagittal plane fluoroscopy. In vivo kinematics including anteroposterior (AP) translation and tibiofemoral rotation were evaluated. Knee Society scores (KSSs) and Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOSs) were assessed before and after surgery. Relationships between tibiofemoral kinematics assessed with the knee in different positions of knee flexion and PROs were evaluated using Spearman's correlation analysis. The study demonstrated a significant negative correlation ( r  =  - 0.33) between medial AP translation from minimum flexion to 30 degrees flexion and postoperative KOOS activities of daily living subscale. A significant positive correlation ( r  = 0.51) was found between the femoral external rotation from minimum flexion to 30 degrees flexion and improvement of the KOOS pain subscale. No correlation was found between the lateral AP translation and PROs. Achieving medial AP and femoral external rotation stability in early flexion may be important in optimizing postoperative PROs., Competing Interests: None declared., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aimed to determine the kinematics of medial pivot total knee arthroplasty by comparing weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing deep knee bending and to evaluate the effect of the weight-bearing state on the kinematics., Methods: The kinematics of 19 knees were investigated under fluoroscopy during squatting (weight-bearing) and active-assisted knee bending (non-weight-bearing) using two- to three-dimensional registration technique. Accordingly, range of motion, anteroposterior translation for the medial and lateral low contact points, axial rotation of the femoral component relative to the tibial component and kinematic pathway were evaluated., Findings: There was no difference in range of motion between the two states. The medial anteroposterior translation showed no significant movement with no anterior translation in both the weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing from 0° to 90° of flexion. Regarding the lateral anteroposterior translation, a posterior translation was observed during weight-bearing, whereas a slight anterior translation from 0° to 30° of flexion and subsequent posterior translation were found in the non-weight-bearing. Femoral external rotation was observed in the weight-bearing, whereas femoral internal rotation was seen from 0° to 30° of flexion and subsequent femoral external rotation was observed in the non-weight-bearing. The kinematic pathway showed medial pivot motion and subsequent bicondylar rollback in the weight-bearing, whereas only medial pivot motion was observed in the non-weight-bearing., Interpretation: The medial anteroposterior translation of the femur during deep knee bending showed no anterior motion in the two states. The lateral anteroposterior translation and femoral rotation were different in the mid-flexion range between the two states., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

This study was designed to analyze the effects of type of activity and cruciate ligament resection on knee kinematics and ligament balance after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and to determine if intraoperative passive kinematics are associated with active kinematics. Fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees were examined. The knees were mounted on a quadriceps-driven simulator. Cruciate-retaining (CR-TKA) and posterior-substituting (PS-TKA) TKA was performed using a contemporary knee system. Active flexion (closed-kinetic chain [CKC] and open-kinetic-chain [OKC]) and passive flexion were analyzed by recording the knee kinematics using a specifically developed application of an imageless navigation system. An electronic ligament balancer was used to measure the tibiofemoral gap under constant distraction pressure. The femur rotated externally relative to the tibia during passive and active CKC flexion. The femur translated anteriorly from 10° to 50° of flexion after TKA. Beyond 50° of flexion, the femur translated posteriorly in all surgical conditions. The femoral location during active CKC flexion was posterior relative to that during active OKC. Femoral rotation and translation during passive knee flexion correlated significantly with that during active knee flexion. Posterior tilt of the electronic ligament balancer was greater with CR-TKA than with PS-TKA and correlated significantly with the anteroposterior position of the femur. Statement of Clinical Significance: Intraoperative knee kinematics measured by computer-assisted navigation and intraoperative ligament balance have the potential to predict postoperative knee kinematics., (© 2021 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Few studies have been reported about kinematic comparison between bicruciate stabilized and cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty with the same anatomical surface geometry. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the in vivo kinematics and postoperative patient-reported outcomes of these two surgeries with the same anatomical surface geometry. We analyzed 17 bicruciate stabilized and 18 cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasties using single-plane fluoroscopic surveillance with two- to three-dimensional registration techniques during squatting from minimum to maximum flexion. Flexion angle, femoral external rotation, anteroposterior position of the medial and lateral sides, and postoperative 2011 Knee Society Scores were analyzed. Maximum flexion angles were larger for bicruciate stabilized than for cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasties. There was no significant difference in femoral external rotation between the two types. The medial and lateral femoral condyles in bicruciate stabilized type translated more posteriorly during deeper flexion and at maximum flexion angle, respectively, than those in cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty. Both groups revealed medial pivots in early flexion, but during deep flexion, bicruciate stabilized total knee arthroplasty revealed bicondylar roll-back and cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty revealed paradoxical anterior motion. Both groups exhibited similar results in postoperative 2011 Knee Society Scores. Bicruciate stabilized and cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasties with the same anatomical articular surfaces demonstrated different kinematics patterns during squatting. However, there were no significant differences in postoperative 2011 Knee Society Scores between the two types of surgery., (© 2021 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: In bicruciate-stabilized total knee arthroplasty (BCS-TKA), the relationship between the postoperative kinematics and sports subscales in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between kinematics and sports subscales using the PROMs after BCS-TKA., Methods: Sixty-one patients with severe knee osteoarthritis were examined at 13.5 ± 7.8 months after BCS-TKA. The patients performed squats under single fluoroscopic surveillance in the sagittal plane. Range of motion of the knee, axial rotation of the femur relative to the tibial component, and anteroposterior (AP) translation of the medial and lateral femorotibial contact points were measured using a 2D-to-3D registration technique. In addition, the relationship between the kinematics and improvement of the sports subscales in the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) was evaluated., Results: In rotation angle, the femoral external rotation was observed from 0 to 50° of flexion. The amount of femoral external rotation did not correlate with PROMs-SP. In medial AP translation, posterior translation was observed from 0 to 20° and 80-110° of flexion. Mild anterior translation was observed from 20 to 80° of flexion. Beyond 80° of flexion, posterior translation was positively correlated with squatting. In lateral AP translation, posterior translation was observed from 0 to 20° and 80-110° of flexion. Beyond 80° of flexion, posterior translation was positively correlated with running, jumping, twisting/pivoting, and kneeling., Conclusion: Femoral rollback at high flexion during squatting may be important to improve sports performance after BCS-TKA., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Purpose: The hypothesis of this study was that the kinematics of patients with higher patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) differ from those of patients with lower PROMs after bicruciate-stabilized total knee arthroplasty (BCS-TKA)., Methods: A total of 32 patients with severe knee osteoarthritis were examined 11.2 ± 3.2 months after BCS-TKA. The patients performed squats under single fluoroscopic surveillance in the sagittal plane. To estimate the spatial position and orientation of the femoral and tibial components, a 2D-to-3D registration technique was used. This technique uses a contour-based registration algorithm, single-view fluoroscopic images and 3D computer-aided design models. Knee range of motion, varus-valgus alignment, axial rotation of the femur relative to the tibial component, anteroposterior translation of the medial and lateral femorotibial contact points, kinematic paths, and anterior and posterior post-cam engagement were measured. The patients were divided into two groups using hierarchical cluster analysis based on the 1-year postoperative Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score and 2011 Knee Society Score., Results: The femoral component had significantly more external rotation in the low-score group than in the high-score group (5.1 ± 1.8° vs. 2.2 ± 2.7°, p = 0.02). The high-score group had a medial pivot pattern from 0 to 20° of flexion, without significant movement from 20 to 70°, and final bicondylar rollback beyond 70°. The low-score group had a medial pivot from 0 to 70° of flexion and bicondylar rollback beyond 70°. There were no significant between-group differences in the varus-valgus angle or post-cam engagement., Conclusion: The higher PROM group had smaller external rotation of the femur after BCS-TKA., Level of Evidence: Level III., (© 2021. European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, Arthroscopy (ESSKA).)

Background: To evaluate the effect of weight-bearing on the kinematics of the bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty design during high knee flexion activities., Methods: The kinematics of 21 bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasties were evaluated under fluoroscopy, with two- and three-dimensional image registrations, during squatting (weight-bearing) and active-assisted knee flexion (non-weight-bearing). The following variables were measured: knee range of motion, axis of femoral rotation and varus-valgus angle relative to the tibial component, anteroposterior translation of the medial and lateral contact points, and the kinematic pathway of the joint surfaces., Findings: From 20° to 100° of flexion, the femoral external rotation during weight-bearing was larger than that during non-weight-bearing. There were no differences in the varus-valgus angles between the two conditions. From 10° to 50° of flexion, the medial contact point during weight-bearing was located posterior to the point of contact during non-weight-bearing; this difference between the two weight-bearing conditions was significant. From 0° to 90° of flexion, the lateral contact point in weight-bearing was located posterior to the contact point in non-weight-bearing; this difference between the two weight-bearing conditions was also significant., Interpretation: The anteroposterior position of the medial and lateral contact points of the bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty design was significantly more posterior in the mid-range of knee flexion in weight-bearing than in non-weight-bearing. However, no anterior translation of the bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty design was observed. Therefore, bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty appears to have good anteroposterior stability throughout the range of knee flexion, regardless of the weight-bearing condition., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Background: The Flexible Nichidai Knee Posterior Stabilized (FNK-PS) system was designed to provide relatively high varus-valgus stabilities without the stem extensions to patients with severe knee joint disorders. This is a combination of a large tibial post and high femoral cam adapted to a PS system. The aim of our study was to analyze the in vivo two-dimensional/three-dimensional registration kinematics of the FNK PS-total knee arthroplasty (TKA) system during deep knee bending., Methods: Nineteen knees from 15 total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients who were able to squat with enough knee flexion were selected. During deep knee bending under weight bearing (WB) and non-weight bearing (NWB) conditions, we quantified range of motion, axial rotation, femoral anteroposterior translation, and post-cam engagement angle., Results: The maximum-flexion was significantly different between the two conditions. The mean axial femoral external rotation was 4.8° and 6.2° under WB and NWB conditions, respectively, at 120° flexion. Anteroposterior translation based on bicondylar posterior roll-back patterns was noted with increasing knee flexion. Both the medial and lateral femoral aspects were significantly more posterior during early to mid-flexion. Initial post-cam engagement occurred significantly earlier during flexion under NWB than under WB conditions. Under WB, the timing of the post-cam engagement correlated with the maximum flexion ., Conclusions: The kinematics of the semi-constrained PS system reproducibly exhibited a mild external rotation with smooth posterior roll-back. This was assisted by the engagement of the large tibial post and high femoral cam during the early phase of flexion.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of posterior tibial slope (PTS) on knee kinematics after cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (CR-TKA). These influences were evaluated using a prosthesis designed with high geometric conformity to the medial articular surface under the weight-bearing condition of deep knee bending., Methods: We evaluated 71 knees (52 patients) after CR-TKA using 2- to 3-dimensional registration techniques. All patients were categorized into 2 groups: group A (PTS ≤ 7°) and group B (PTS ≥ 8°). We compared in vivo knee kinematics during deep knee bending under weight-bearing conditions between the 2 groups. The anteroposterior position of the nearest points, flexion angles, and external rotation angles of the femoral components relative to the tibial components were evaluated. Additionally, the knee flexion angles of the femur relative to the tibia obtained from the installation angles of the components were evaluated., Results: PTS did not affect the external rotation angles and anteroposterior position. The postoperative maximum flexion angle and range of motion between the femur and tibia in group B were significantly greater than those in group A., Conclusion: PTS of 8° or more in CR-TKA using prosthetics designed with high geometric conformity to the medial articular surface did not affect the anteroposterior position and external rotation, but increased the postoperative maximum flexion angle and range of motion., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) 3D kinematic analysis requires 2D/3D image registration of X-ray fluoroscopic images and a computer-aided design (CAD) model of the knee implant. However, these techniques cannot provide information on the radiolucent polyethylene insert, since the insert silhouette does not appear clearly in X-ray images. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain the 3D kinematics of the polyethylene insert, particularly the mobile-bearing insert. A technique for 3D kinematic analysis of a mobile-bearing insert used in TKA was developed using X-ray fluoroscopy. The method was tested and a clinical application was evaluated., Methods: Tantalum beads and a CAD model of the mobile-bearing TKA insert are used for 3D pose estimation of the mobile-bearing insert used in TKA using X-ray fluoroscopy. The insert model was created using four identical tantalum beads precisely located at known positions in a polyethylene insert using a specially designed insertion device. Finally, the 3D pose of the insert model was estimated using a feature-based 2D/3D registration technique, using the silhouette of beads in fluoroscopic images and the corresponding CAD insert model. In vitro testing for the repeatability of the positioning of the tantalum beads and computer simulations for 3D pose estimation of the mobile-bearing insert were performed., Experimental Results: The pose estimation accuracy achieved was sufficient for analyzing mobile-bearing TKA kinematics (RMS error: within 1.0 mm and 1.0°, except for medial-lateral translation). In a clinical application, nine patients with mobile-bearing TKA were investigated and analyzed with respect to a deep knee bending motion., Conclusions: A 3D kinematic analysis technique was developed that enables accurate quantitative evaluation of mobile-bearing TKA kinematics. This method may be useful for improving implant design and optimizing TKA surgical techniques.

The objective of this study was to investigate in vivo femoro-tibial motion using the movement of femoral flexion axis of a single-radius TKA. We examined 20 clinically successful knees with a single-radius posterior stabilized TKA to evaluate the kinematics of deep knee flexion using 2-3-dimensional registration techniques. The mean knee flexion range of motion was 117.8°. The mean rotation of the femoral component was 7.6° external rotation. The mean knee flexion angle at initial post-cam engagement was 55.2°. No paradoxical movement of femoral component was shown until 70° flexion, afterward the femoral component rolled back with flexion. The data showed that the design of this prosthesis might contribute to reduce the paradoxical anterior femoral movement and provide stability in mid-flexion ranges., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Most in vivo kinematic studies of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) report on the varus knee. The objective of the present study was to evaluate in vivo kinematics of a posterior-stabilized fixed-bearing TKA operated on a valgus knee during knee bending in weight-bearing (WB) and non-weight-bearing (NWB)., Methods: A total of sixteen valgus knees in 12 cases that underwent TKA with Scorpio NRG PS knee prosthesis and that were operated on using the gap balancing technique were evaluated. We evaluated the in vivo kinematics of the knee using fluoroscopy and femorotibial translation relative to the tibial tray using a 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional registration technique., Results: The average flexion angle was 111.3°±7.5° in WB and 114.9° ± 8.4° in NWB. The femoral component demonstrated a mean external rotation of 5.9° ± 5.8° in WB and 7.4° ± 5.2° in NWB. In WB and NWB, the femoral component showed a medial pivot pattern from 0° to midflexion and a bicondylar rollback pattern from midflexion to full flexion. The medial condyle moved similarly in the WB condition and in the NWB condition. The lateral condyle moved posteriorly at a slightly earlier angle during the WB condition than during the NWB condition., Conclusions: We conclude that similar kinematics after TKA can be obtained with the gap balancing technique for the preoperative valgus deformity when compared to the kinematics of a normal knee, even though the magnitude of external rotation was small., Level of Evidence: IV., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: The patterns and magnitudes of axial femorotibial rotation are variable due to the prosthesis design, ligamentous balancing, and surgical procedures. We aimed to investigate the effects of the weight bearing (WB) condition on the kinematics of mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA)., Methods: We examined 12 patients (19 knees) implanted with a low contact stress (LCS) mobile-bearing TKA system using a two-dimensional to three-dimensional registration technique. The in vivo kinematics of dynamic deep knee flexion under WB and non-WB (NWB) conditions were compared. We evaluated the knee range of motion, femoral axial rotation relative to the tibial component, anteroposterior translation, and kinematic pathway of the femorotibial contact point for both the medial and lateral sides., Results: Under the WB condition, the mean range of motion was 117.8° ± 16.7°. Under the NWB condition, the mean range of motion was 111.0° ± 4.4°. The mean range of axial rotation from full extension to maximum flexion was 3.0° ± 1.5° under the WB condition and 2.2° ± 1.0° under the NWB condition. With regard to the anteroposterior translation, the LCS mobile-bearing TKA system showed the same kinematic patterns under both conditions, except for axial rotation at 0°, 10°, and 110°. From hyperextension to maximum flexion, the kinematic pattern reflected a central pivot under both conditions., Conclusions: In conclusion, this study demonstrated that, in an LCS mobile-bearing TKA system, knee kinematics showed the same patterns under NWB and WB conditions, except for axial rotation at the early phase. Further understanding of knee kinematics could provide us with useful information for future design concepts of TKA implants.

This study investigated the anteroposterior stability of the femur during stair motions. We examined 18 knees with a clinically successful high-flexion posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty to evaluate the in vivo kinematics of stair ascending and descending using two- to three-dimensional registration. Posterior sliding of the femur was observed while shifting weight to the leg during stair ascending and descending in almost all knees. Anterior tibial post impingement was observed in 10 knees when the knee was extended in stair ascending, whereas in stair descending, the impingement was observed in 14 knees when posterior sliding of the femur occurred. The impingement contributed to the stabilization of the knee during stair motion; however, impingement may result in additional polyethylene wear and tibial post failure., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

One of the most important issues in high-flex posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is anterior tibial post impingement. We examined 20 knees and 2 TKA designs to evaluate the in vivo kinematics during gait using fluoroscopic image analysis. The AP positions in both stance and swing phases were significantly larger and more anterior in J-curved design TKA compared with Single radius design TKA. Anterior tibial post impingement was observed in five knees implanted with Legacy-flex, and in four of the five knees they were not hyperextended. No impingement was observed with NRG. Less constraint and tibial posterior slope might lead to large AP translations and anterior tibial post impingement. Implant design and operative procedures for high-flexion TKAs affect the in vivo kinematics and the occurrence of anterior tibial post impingement., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the in vivo knee kinematics to assess the available functional motion of the characteristic mobile-bearing prosthesis design and to examine whether the artificial joint would work in vivo according to its design concept., Methods: We studied 14 knees (11 patients) implanted with the Vanguard RP Hi-Flex prosthesis. This prosthesis has a highly original form of post-cam called a PS saddle design with high compatibility, and with a rotating plate mobile-bearing mechanism. The cylinder-type post-cam is designed to enable contact in early flexion ranges, and to prevent paradoxical anterior femoral component movement. Each patient performed weight-bearing deep knee bending under fluoroscopic surveillance. Motion between each component including the polyethylene insert was analyzed using the 2D/3D registration technique., Results: The mean range of motion was 122.0°. The mean femoral component rotation for the tibial tray was 5.0°. No paradoxical anterior movement of the nearest point was confirmed between the femoral component and the tibial tray in the early flexion ranges. Initial contact of the post-cam was confirmed at a knee flexion angle of 33.8°. Subsequently, the wide contact of the post-cam was maintained until flexion reached 120° in all knees, but disengagement of the post-cam was observed in two knees when flexion was ≥130°., Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that the prosthesis design generally works in vivo as intended by its design concept. The present kinematic data may provide useful information for improvement of high-flex type prostheses.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of weight-bearing (WB) condition on the kinematics of total knee arthroplasty. We investigated 17 patients (20 knees) implanted with a high-flexion posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasty using 2- to 3-dimensional registration techniques. In vivo kinematics of dynamic deep knee flexion under WB and non-WB (NWB) conditions were compared. Six degree-of-freedom kinematics and articular contacts including post-cam contact were evaluated. At midflexion, femorotibial contact points were located significantly more anteriorly under NWB than WB conditions. As a result, post-cam engagement occurred significantly earlier under NWB than WB conditions. With NWB conditions, early engagement of the femoral cam engages at the top part of tibial post, which puts it at risk of jumping the tibial post particularly if there is instability in midflexion., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Purpose: Little is known about the in vivo kinematics of mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty, especially at deep knee flexion under weight-bearing conditions., Methods: In vivo knee kinematics was analyzed for 12 patients (13 knees) implanted with PFC-Sigma Rotating Platform-Flex (RP-F) prostheses. Under fluoroscopic surveillance, each patient performed weight-bearing deep knee bending. Motion between each component was analyzed using a two- to three-dimensional registration technique, which uses computer-assisted design models to reproduce the spatial positions of the femoral and tibial components and a polyethylene insert (implanted with four tantalum beads) from single-view fluoroscopic images., Results: External rotation of the femoral component on the tibial tray was mostly caused by rotation of the polyethylene insert on the tibial tray. The femoral component typically exhibited a central pivot pattern from extension to 80° relative to the tibial component. From 80° to 120°, bilateral condyles moved backward. In an upright standing position, the femoral component had already rotated externally relative to the tibial component by 7.8±7.5°, and the polyethylene insert had also rotated 8.2°±6.2° externally on the tibial tray., Conclusion: The present results demonstrated that mobile-bearing mechanisms with this prosthesis might reduce articular contact stress in vivo.

The Dual Bearing Knee (DBK) prosthesis is a new concept which has a mobile-bearing insert. In May 2001, the posterior femoral condyle design of the DBK was changed to become smaller and there was a posterior shift in the base of the insert dish (Hi-Flex). Between 1998 and 2004, 371 DBKs (112 Hi-Flex and 220 Standard) were performed by one surgical team. There was a significant difference in postoperative flexion angle between the Hi-Flex and Standard DBKs (117.0° and 111.3°; p = 0.001). The delta flexion angle in the Hi-Flex (-2.4°) was significantly increased compared with that in the Standard DBK (-9.6°) (p = 0.001). In the Hi-Flex DBK, the postoperative flexion angle (5.7°) and the delta flexion angle (7.2°) were significantly larger than for the Standard DBK (p < 0.001). These results suggest that the flexion is greater for a design with smaller posterior condyle prosthesis and with a posterior shift in the base of the insert dish in CR mobile-bearing TKA.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the kinematics of a high-flexion, posterior-stabilized, mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in weight-bearing, deep knee bending motion. Thirteen patients implanted with the Legacy Posterior Stabilized Flex (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN) mobile-bearing TKA were examined during a deep knee bending motion using fluoroscopy. Femorotibial motion was determined using a 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional registration technique, which used computer-assisted design models to reproduce the position of metallic implants from single-view fluoroscopic images. The average flexion range of motion between the metallic implants was 116 degrees . The average rotation of the femoral component was 9.3 degrees external rotation. The mean kinematic pathway was early rollback, lateral pivot with external rotation, and bicondylar rollback. We found that the kinematic pattern of the Legacy Posterior Stabilized Flex mobile-bearing TKA was different than normal knee kinematics.

The objective of this study was to evaluate in vivo kinematics of a high-flexion, posterior-stabilized fixed-bearing, total knee arthroplasty in weight-bearing deep knee-bending motion. A total of 20 knees implanted with the Scorpio Non-Restrictive Geometry knee system in 17 patients were assessed in this study. The Scorpio Non-Restrictive Geometry is a recent implant design with modifications made to accommodate a higher flexion range of motion and greater axial rotation, particularly during more functionally demanding activities. Patients were examined during a deep knee-bending motion using fluoroscopy, and femorotibial motion was determined using a 2-dimensional to 3-dimensional registration technique. The average flexion angle was 126.5 degrees (110 degrees -149 degrees ). The femoral component demonstrated a mean of 13.5 degrees (5.2 degrees -21 degrees ) external rotation. The external rotation increased up to maximum flexion. The pivot pattern was a medial pivot pattern similar to that reported in normal knee kinematics.

To achieve quantitative assessment of 3D dynamic motion of artificial knee implants under clinical conditions, we developed a 3D kinematic analysis system using X-ray fluoroscopic imaging. The 3D pose-estimation technique for knee implants was built on a 2D/3D registration algorithm, which determines the spatial pose for each femoral and tibial component from the knee implant contours and computer-assisted design (CAD) models of the implant. In order to validate the accuracy of the 3D pose estimation and the system, computer simulation and in vitro tests were performed using images of knee implants taken in 10 different poses with respect to X-ray focus. Computer simulation tests showed that the root mean square errors (RMSE) for all variables were less than 1.0 mm 1.0 degrees. In vitro tests showed that the RMSE for translation perpendicular to the X-ray image plane was about 1.5 mm, while the accuracy of the remaining two translational and three rotational variables was found to be sufficient for analyzing knee kinematics. Computation time in 3D pose estimation was then obtained in less than 30 seconds for each frame. In clinical application, dynamic movement in deep knee bending was quantitatively analyzed, and the feasibility and effectiveness of the system was demonstrated.

Two-dimensional (2-D)/three-dimensional (3-D) registration techniques using single-plane fluoroscopy are highly important for analyzing 3-D kinematics in applications such as total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implants. The accuracy of single-plane fluoroscopy-based techniques in the determination of translation perpendicular to the image plane (depth position), however, is relatively poor because a change in the depth position causes only small changes in the 2-D silhouette. Accuracies achieved in depth position using conventional 2-D/3-D registration techniques are insufficient for clinical applications. Therefore, we propose a technique for improving the accuracy of depth position determination in order to develop a system for analyzing knee kinematics over the full six degrees of freedom (6 DOF) using single-plane fluoroscopy. In preliminary experiments, the behaviors of errors for each free variable were quantified as evaluation curves by examining changes in cost function with variations in the free variable. The evaluation curve for depth position was more jagged, and the curve peak less pointy, compared to the evaluation curves of the other five variables, and the curve was found to behave differently. Depth position is therefore optimized independently of the other variables, using an approximate evaluation curve of depth position prepared after initial registration. Accuracy of the proposed technique was evaluated by computer simulation and in vitro tests, with validation of absolute position and orientation performed for each knee component. In computer simulation tests, root-mean-square error (RMSE) in depth position was improved from 2.6 mm (conventional) to 0.9 mm (proposed), whereas for in vitro tests, RMSE improved from 3.2 mm to 1.4 mm. Accuracy of the estimation of the remaining two translational and three rotational variables was found to be almost the same as that obtained by conventional techniques. Results of in vivo tests are also described in which the possibility of full 6 DOF kinematic analysis of TKA implants is shown.

Periprosthetic fracture of the tibial plateau associated with osteolysis resulting from mechanical failure of the rotating patellar component after total knee arthroplasty with the New Jersey Low-Contact-Stress (LCS) knee (DePuy, Warsaw, IN) has not been reported previously. A 67-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis of the left knee had a LCS prosthesis implanted without cement, using a rotating patellar component. Seven years later, a fracture of the lateral tibial plateau occurred owing to an osteolytic defect with no traumatic accident. The rotating patellar bearing over-rotated and locked; consequently, wear occurred between the patellar metal tray and the femoral component. Immunohistochemistry revealed CD68-positive macrophages in the osteolytic region and phagocytosis of metal particles. The osteolytic region was filled with autogenous bone, and all components were exchanged and cemented. The patient's condition became satisfactory with relief of pain., (Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.)