We aim to determine the differences in lower limb joint kinematics during the golf swing of patients who had undergone Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) and a control group of native knee golfers.

A case-control study was undertaken with ten golfers who had undergone TKA (cruciate retaining single radius implant) and five age and matched golfers with native knees. Each golfer performed five swings with a driver whilst being recorded at 200Hz by a ten-camera motion capture system. Knee and hip three-dimensional joint angles (JA) and joint angular velocities (JAV) were calculated and statistically compared between the groups at six swing events.

The only significant differences in knee joint kinematics between TKA and control groups was a lower external rotation JA in the left knee during the backswing (p=0.010). There was no significant difference in knee JAV between the groups. Both hips demonstrated significantly (p=0.023 for left and p=0.037 for right) lower flexion in the TKA group during the takeaway swing event, and there was lower internal rotation in the backswing and greater external rotation in the downswing of the right hip. There was also slower left hip extension JAV in the downswing.

Normal knee kinematics were observed during the golf swing following TKA, with the exception of reduced external rotation in the left knee during the back swing and the right during the down swing. The differences demonstrated in the hip motion indicate that they may make compensatory movements to adjust to the reduced external rotation demonstrated in the knee.

Aims: The aims of this study were to define the incidence of knee stiffness following ACL reconstruction, to determine which patient factors were associated with this, and to assess how effective arthroscopic arthrolysis has been in treating the stiffness.

Methods: To define the incidence of stiffness, we reviewed the patient records of a consecutive cohort of 100 primary isolated ACL reconstructions using quadruple hamstring autografts (2004–2006). Stiffness was defined as any loss of motion as compared to the contra-lateral leg. The mean age at reconstruction was 30 years and the median delay between injury and operation was 15 months. To assess the effectiveness of arthroscopic arthrolysis, we then reviewed all the patients who had undergone this procedure following primary isolated ACL reconstruction (n=18: 1997–2008). The mean age at arthrolysis was 31 years and the median delay between reconstruction and arthrolysis was nine months.

Results: Following primary ACL reconstruction, the incidence of stiffness was 12% six months postoperatively. Poor compliance with physiotherapy (p< 0.005), previous knee surgery (p< 0.005), and anterior knee pain (p< 0.029) were significantly associated with stiffness. A binary logistic regression found both poor compliance with physiotherapy (Exp(B)=6.931; 95%CI, 1.609–29.859; p< 0.009) and previous knee surgery (Exp(B)=6.383; 95%CI, 1.548–26.322; p< 0.010) to be significant predictors of the stiffness. The rate of stiffness fell to 5% at 12 months, without operative intervention. Of the 18 patients who underwent arthroscopic arthrolysis, the mean extension loss improved from 7° to 1° and the mean flexion loss improved from 8° to 2°. Arthroscopic arthrolysis was significantly more effective in restoring extension loss (p< 0.029) if carried out within eight months of the primary reconstruction.

Conclusions: Knee stiffness remains a significant problem post ACL reconstruction. This can however be effectively improved by appropriately timed arthroscopic arthrolysis.