Abstract
Introduction
Recently, tibial insert design of cruciate-substituting (CS) polyethylene insert is employed. However, in vivo kinematics of using CS polyethylene insert is still unclear. In this study, it is hypothesized that CS polyethylene insert leads to stability of femolo-tibial joint as well as posterior-stabilized (PS) polyethylene insert, even if PCL is sacrificed after TKA. The purpose of this study is an investigation of in vivo kinematics of femolo-tibial joint with use of CS polyethylene insert before and after PCL resction using computer assisted navigation system intra-operatively in TKA.
Materials and Methods
Twenty-four consecutive patients who had knees of osteoarthritis with varus deformity were investigated in this study. All TKAs (Triathlon, Stryker) were performed using computer assisted navigation system. In all patients, difference between extension and flexion gap was under 3mm after bony cut of femur and tibia. During surgery, CS polyethylene tibial trial insert were inserted after trial implantation of femoral and tibial components, before and after resection of PCL, respectively. The kinematic parameters of the soft-tissue balance, and amount of coronal (valgus/varus), sagittal (anterior/posterior) and rotational relative movement between femur and tibia were obtained by interpreting kinematics, which display tables throughout the range of motion (ROM) (Figure1). During record of kinematics, the surgeon gently lifted the experimental thigh three times, flexing the hip and knee. In each ROM (30, 45, 60, 90, max degrees), the data were analyzed with paired t-test, and an ANOVA test, and mean values were compared by the multiple comparison test (Turkey HSD test) (p < 0.05).
Results
In coronal (valgus/varus) movement, there are no difference between before and after resection of PCL in all ROM.
Regarding to amount of sagittal movement of tibia, tibia was slightly shifted approximately 0.75mm posteriorly in 60 degrees of flexion (p=0.013). There are no significance between before and after PCL resection in the other ROM.
In addition, concerning ROM, maximum extension angle is significantly lower, and maximum flexion angle is significantly higher after than before PCL resection.
Discussion
These results demonstrated that CS polyethylene insert might have a stability of femoro-tibial joint nearly after PCL resection as well as before PCL resection. The main design feature of Triathlon CS insert is single radius and rotary arc, in addition, the posterior lip is same as that of Triathlon CR, which can be the factor to avoid paradoxical anterior movement and to permit internal and external rotation between femoral and tibial component. This study was localized at point of certain situation that difference between extension and flexion gap is under 3mm after bony cut of femur and tibia during surgery. Due to the design features and benefits, there is a high possibility that use of CS insert without PCL can lead same stability as PCL remained, and improvement of ROM. Based on these backgrounds, it is suggested that CS insert may have an additional choice of PCL resection in case of tight gap of flexion in TKA.
