Aims. To compare the gait of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients with healthy controls, using a machine-learning approach. Patients and Methods. 145 participants (121 healthy controls, 12 patients with cruciate-retaining TKA, and 12 with mobile-bearing medial UKA) were recruited. The TKA and UKA patients were a minimum of 12 months post-operative, and matched for pattern and severity of arthrosis, age, and body mass index. . Participants walked on an instrumented treadmill until their maximum walking speed was reached. Temporospatial gait parameters, and vertical ground reaction force data, were captured at each speed. Oxford knee scores (OKS) were also collected. An ensemble of trees algorithm was used to analyse the data: 27 gait variables were used to train classification trees for each speed, with a binary output prediction of whether these variables were derived from a UKA or TKA patient. Healthy control gait data was then tested by the decision trees at each speed and a final classification (UKA or TKA) reached for each subject in a majority voting manner over all gait cycles and speeds. Top walking speed was also recorded. Results. 92% of the healthy controls were classified by the decision tree as a UKA, 5% as a TKA, and 3% were unclassified. There was no significant difference in OKS between the UKA and TKA patients (p = 0.077). Top walking speed in TKA patients (1.6 m/s; 1.3 to 2.1) was significantly lower than that of both the UKA group (2.2 m/s; 1.8 to 2.7) and healthy controls (2.2 m/s; 1.5 to 2.7; p < 0.001). . Conclusion. UKA results in a more physiological gait compared with TKA, and a higher top walking speed. This difference in function was not detected by the OKS. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B(10 Suppl B):16–21

Aims. Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may provoke ankle symptoms. The aim of this study was to validate the impact of the preoperative mechanical tibiofemoral angle (mTFA), the talar tilt (TT) on ankle symptoms after TKA, and assess changes in the range of motion (ROM) of the subtalar joint, foot posture, and ankle laxity. Methods. Patients who underwent TKA from September 2020 to September 2021 were prospectively included. Inclusion criteria were primary end-stage osteoarthritis (Kellgren-Lawrence stage IV) of the knee. Exclusion criteria were missed follow-up visit, post-traumatic pathologies of the foot, and neurological disorders. Radiological angles measured included the mTFA, hindfoot alignment view angle, and TT. The Foot Function Index (FFI) score was assessed. Gait analyses were conducted to measure mediolateral changes of the gait line and ankle laxity was tested using an ankle arthrometer. All parameters were acquired one week pre- and three months postoperatively. Results. A total of 69 patients (varus n = 45; valgus n = 24) underwent TKA and completed the postoperative follow-up visit. Of these, 16 patients (23.2%) reported the onset or progression of ankle symptoms. Varus patients with increased ankle symptoms after TKA had a significantly higher pre- and postoperative TT. Valgus patients with ankle symptoms after TKA showed a pathologically lateralized gait line which could not be corrected through TKA. Patients who reported increased ankle pain neither had a decreased ROM of the subtalar joint nor increased ankle laxity following TKA. The preoperative mTFA did not correlate with the postoperative FFI (r = 0.037; p = 0.759). Conclusion. Approximately one-quarter of the patients developed ankle pain after TKA. If patients complain about ankle symptoms after TKA, standing radiographs of the ankle and a gait analysis could help in detecting a malaligned TT or a pathological gait. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2023;105-B(11):1159–1167

In arthritis of the varus knee, a high tibial osteotomy (HTO) redistributes load from the diseased medial compartment to the unaffected lateral compartment. We report the outcome of 36 patients (33 men and three women) with 42 varus, arthritic knees who underwent HTO and dynamic correction using a Garches external fixator until they felt that normal alignment had been restored. The mean age of the patients was 54.11 years (34 to 68). Normal alignment was achieved at a mean 5.5 weeks (3 to 10) post-operatively. Radiographs, gait analysis and visual analogue scores for pain were measured pre- and post-operatively, at one year and at medium-term follow-up (mean six years; 2 to 10). Failure was defined as conversion to knee arthroplasty. . Pre-operative gait analysis divided the 42 knees into two equal groups with high (17 patients) or low (19 patients) adductor moments. After correction, a statistically significant (p < 0.001, t-test,) change in adductor moment was achieved and maintained in both groups, with a rate of failure of three knees (7.1%), and 89% (95% confidence interval (CI) 84.9 to 94.7) survivorship at medium-term follow-up. At final follow-up, after a mean of 15.9 years (12 to 20), there was a survivorship of 59% (95% CI 59.6 to 68.9) irrespective of adductor moment group, with a mean time to conversion to knee arthroplasty of 9.5 years (3 to 18; 95% confidence interval ± 2.5). . HTO remains a useful option in the medium-term for the treatment of medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee but does not last in the long-term. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2016;98-B:601–7

This study compared the outcome of total knee replacement (TKR) in adult patients with fixed- and mobile-bearing prostheses during the first post-operative year and at five years’ follow-up, using gait parameters as a new objective measure. This double-blind randomised controlled clinical trial included 55 patients with mobile-bearing (n = 26) and fixed-bearing (n = 29) prostheses of the same design, evaluated pre-operatively and post-operatively at six weeks, three months, six months, one year and five years. Each participant undertook two walking trials of 30 m and completed the EuroQol questionnaire, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index, Knee Society score, and visual analogue scales for pain and stiffness. Gait analysis was performed using five miniature angular rate sensors mounted on the trunk (sacrum), each thigh and calf. The study population was divided into two groups according to age (≤ 70 years versus > 70 years). Improvements in most gait parameters at five years’ follow-up were greater for fixed-bearing TKRs in older patients (> 70 years), and greater for mobile-bearing TKRs in younger patients (≤ 70 years). These findings should be confirmed by an extended age controlled study, as the ideal choice of prosthesis might depend on the age of the patient at the time of surgery

Mechanical failure because of wear or fracture of the polyethylene tibial post in posteriorly-stabilised total knee replacements has been extensively described. In this study of 12 patients with a clinically and radiologically successful NexGen LPS posteriorly-stabilised prosthesis impingement of the anterior tibial post was evaluated in vivo in three dimensions during gait using radiologically-based image-matching techniques. Impingement was observed in all images of the patients during the stance phase, although the NexGen LPS was designed to accommodate 14° of hyperextension of the component before impingement occurred. Impingement arises as a result of posterior translation of the femur during the stance phase. Further attention must therefore be given to the configuration of the anterior portion of the femoral component and the polyethylene post when designing posteriorly-stabilised total knee replacements

Aims. This study aimed to analyze kinematics and kinetics of the tibiofemoral joint in healthy subjects with valgus, neutral, and varus limb alignment throughout multiple gait activities using dynamic videofluoroscopy. Methods. Five subjects with valgus, 12 with neutral, and ten with varus limb alignment were assessed during multiple complete cycles of level walking, downhill walking, and stair descent using a combination of dynamic videofluoroscopy, ground reaction force plates, and optical motion capture. Following 2D/3D registration, tibiofemoral kinematics and kinetics were compared between the three limb alignment groups. Results. No significant differences for the rotational or translational patterns between the different limb alignment groups were found for level walking, downhill walking, or stair descent. Neutral and varus aligned subjects showed a mean centre of rotation located on the medial condyle for the loaded stance phase of all three gait activities. Valgus alignment, however, resulted in a centrally located centre of rotation for level and downhill walking, but a more medial centre of rotation during stair descent. Knee adduction/abduction moments were significantly influenced by limb alignment, with an increasing knee adduction moment from valgus through neutral to varus. Conclusion. Limb alignment was not reflected in the condylar kinematics, but did significantly affect the knee adduction moment. Variations in frontal plane limb alignment seem not to be a main modulator of condylar kinematics. The presented data provide insights into the influence of anatomical parameters on tibiofemoral kinematics and kinetics towards enhancing clinical decision-making and surgical restoration of natural knee joint motion and loading. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(9):485–496

Aims. The aim of this study was to compare any differences in the primary outcome (biphasic flexion knee moment during gait) of robotic arm-assisted bi-unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (bi-UKA) with conventional mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA) at one year post-surgery. Methods. A total of 76 patients (34 bi-UKA and 42 TKA patients) were analyzed in a prospective, single-centre, randomized controlled trial. Flat ground shod gait analysis was performed preoperatively and one year postoperatively. Knee flexion moment was calculated from motion capture markers and force plates. The same setup determined proprioception outcomes during a joint position sense test and one-leg standing. Surgery allocation, surgeon, and secondary outcomes were analyzed for prediction of the primary outcome from a binary regression model. Results. Both interventions were shown to be effective treatment options, with no significant differences shown between interventions for the primary outcome of this study (18/35 (51.4%) biphasic TKA patients vs 20/31 (64.5%) biphasic bi-UKA patients; p = 0.558). All outcomes were compared to an age-matched, healthy cohort that outperformed both groups, indicating residual deficits exists following surgery. Logistic regression analysis of primary outcome with secondary outcomes indicated that the most significant predictor of postoperative biphasic knee moments was preoperative knee moment profile and trochlear degradation (Outerbridge) (R. 2. = 0.381; p = 0.002, p = 0.046). A separate regression of alignment against primary outcome indicated significant bi-UKA femoral and tibial axial alignment (R. 2. = 0.352; p = 0.029), and TKA femoral sagittal alignment (R. 2. = 0.252; p = 0.016). The bi-UKA group showed a significant increased ability in the proprioceptive joint position test, but no difference was found in more dynamic testing of proprioception. Conclusion. Robotic arm-assisted bi-UKA demonstrated equivalence to TKA in achieving a biphasic gait pattern after surgery for osteoarthritis of the knee. Both treatments are successful at improving gait, but both leave the patients with a functional limitation that is not present in healthy age-matched controls. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2022;103-B(4):433–443

Abstract. Introduction. This study compared biomechanical and functional parameters of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implant (Cemented Zimmer Hi-Flex) against healthy older adults to determine whether knee biomechanics was restored in this patient population. Methodology. Patients with a primary TKA and healthy adults >55 years old with no musculoskeletal deficits or arthritis participated. Bilateral knee range of motion (RoM) was assessed with a goniometer, then gait patterns were analysed with a 3D motion-capture system. An arthrometer then quantified anterior-posterior laxity of each knee. Statistical analyses were performed in SPSS (α=0.05; required sample size: n=21 per group). Results. 25 knees were replaced in 21 patients. Nine presented with fixed flexion deformities (FFD) (13.3±5.6°). FFDs were abolished intraoperatively, and the average flexion increased from 124.8±9.1° to 130.9±5.8°. At 9.6±3.2 years postoperatively, the patients achieved poorer RoM than healthy controls (n=23); p<0.0001. These differences were due to limited flexion in the knee. Patients also failed to achieve the same degree of flexion as controls bilaterally during gait. No differences were observed during mid-flexion; a state that has been associated with instability (p=0.614). There were no differences between groups in knee laxity. Conclusion. Patients in this study had similar gait patterns to healthy older adults during mid-flexion, and were no more likely to exhibit anterior-posterior translation of the knee >7mm; a known risk factor of instability. However, the flexion range was poorer. This led to bilateral pathological knee flexion patterns during gait. Further research should identify the cause of these limitations

Aims. A retrospective longitudinal study was conducted to compare directly volumetric wear of retrieved polyethylene inserts to predicted volumetric wear modelled from individual gait mechanics of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients. Methods. In total, 11 retrieved polyethylene tibial inserts were matched with gait analysis testing performed on those patients. Volumetric wear on the articular surfaces was measured using a laser coordinate measure machine and autonomous reconstruction. Knee kinematics and kinetics from individual gait trials drove computational models to calculate medial and lateral tibiofemoral contact paths and forces. Sliding distance along the contact path, normal forces and implantation time were used as inputs to Archard’s equation of wear to predict volumetric wear from gait mechanics. Measured and modelled wear were compared for each component. Results. Volumetric wear rates on eight non-delaminated components measured 15.9 mm. 3. /year (standard error (SE) ± 7.7) on the total part, 11.4 mm. 3. /year (SE ± 6.4) on the medial side and 4.4 (SE ± 2.6) mm. 3. /year on the lateral side. Volumetric wear rates modelled from patient gait mechanics predicted 16.4 mm. 3. /year (SE 2.4) on the total part, 11.7 mm. 3. /year (SE 2.1) on the medial side and 4.7 mm. 3. /year (SE 0.4) on the lateral side. Measured and modelled wear volumes correlated significantly on the total part (p = 0.017) and the medial side (p = 0.012) but not on the lateral side (p = 0.154). Conclusion. In the absence of delamination, patient-specific knee mechanics during gait directly affect wear of the tibial component in TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2020;102-B(6 Supple A):129–137

Aims. Adenosine, lidocaine, and Mg. 2+. (ALM) therapy exerts differential immuno-inflammatory responses in males and females early after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR). Our aim was to investigate sex-specific effects of ALM therapy on joint tissue repair and recovery 28 days after surgery. Methods. Male (n = 21) and female (n = 21) adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into ALM or Saline control treatment groups. Three days after ACL rupture, animals underwent ACLR. An ALM or saline intravenous infusion was commenced prior to skin incision, and continued for one hour. An intra-articular bolus of ALM or saline was also administered prior to skin closure. Animals were monitored to 28 days, and joint function, pain, inflammatory markers, histopathology, and tissue repair markers were assessed. Results. Despite comparable knee function, ALM-treated males had reduced systemic inflammation, synovial fluid angiogenic and pro-inflammatory mediators, synovitis, and fat pad fibrotic changes, compared to controls. Within the ACL graft, ALM-treated males had increased expression of tissue repair markers, decreased inflammation, increased collagen organization, and improved graft-bone healing. In contrast to males, females had no evidence of persistent systemic inflammation. Compared to controls, ALM-treated females had improved knee extension, gait biomechanics, and elevated synovial macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1α). Within the ACL graft, ALM-treated females had decreased inflammation, increased collagen organization, and improved graft-bone healing. In articular cartilage of ALM-treated animals, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 expression was blunted in males, while in females repair markers were increased. Conclusion. At 28 days, ALM therapy reduces inflammation, augments tissue repair patterns, and improves joint function in a sex-specific manner. The study supports transition to human safety trials. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2024;13(6):279–293

Aims. A functional anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) has been assumed to be required for patients undergoing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). However, this assumption has not been thoroughly tested. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the biomechanical effects exerted by cruciate ligament-deficient knees with medial UKAs regarding different posterior tibial slopes. Methods. ACL- or PCL-deficient models with posterior tibial slopes of 1°, 3°, 5°, 7°, and 9° were developed and compared to intact models. The kinematics and contact stresses on the tibiofemoral joint were evaluated under gait cycle loading conditions. Results. Anterior translation increased in ACL-deficient UKA cases compared with intact models. In contrast, posterior translation increased in PCL-deficient UKA cases compared with intact models. As the posterior tibial slope increased, anterior translation of ACL-deficient UKA increased significantly in the stance phase, and posterior translation of PCL-deficient UKA increased significantly in the swing phase. Furthermore, as the posterior tibial slope increased, contact stress on the other compartment increased in cruciate ligament-deficient UKAs compared with intact UKAs. Conclusion. Fixed-bearing medial UKA is a viable treatment option for patients with cruciate ligament deficiency, providing a less invasive procedure and allowing patient-specific kinematics to adjust posterior tibial slope. Patient selection is important, and while AP kinematics can be compensated for by posterior tibial slope adjustment, rotational stability is a prerequisite for this approach. ACL- or PCL-deficient UKA that adjusts the posterior tibial slope might be an alternative treatment option for a skilled surgeon. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(7):494–502

Objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical effect of the anterolateral ligament (ALL), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), or both ALL and ACL on kinematics under dynamic loading conditions using dynamic simulation subject-specific knee models. Methods. Five subject-specific musculoskeletal models were validated with computationally predicted muscle activation, electromyography data, and previous experimental data to analyze effects of the ALL and ACL on knee kinematics under gait and squat loading conditions. Results. Anterior translation (AT) significantly increased with deficiency of the ACL, ALL, or both structures under gait cycle loading. Internal rotation (IR) significantly increased with deficiency of both the ACL and ALL under gait and squat loading conditions. However, the deficiency of ALL was not significant in the increase of AT, but it was significant in the increase of IR under the squat loading condition. Conclusion. The results of this study confirm that the ALL is an important lateral knee structure for knee joint stability. The ALL is a secondary stabilizer relative to the ACL under simulated gait and squat loading conditions. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2019;8:509–517

Abstract. Introduction. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a common procedure, primarily performed in active, young patients to treat knee pain and functional limitations resulting from cartilage injury. Nevertheless, the functional outcomes of ACI remain poorly understood. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the biomechanical outcomes of ACI. Methodology. Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science were systematically searched using the terms ‘Knee OR Knee joint AND Autologous chondrocyte implantation OR ACI’. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to screen publications by title, abstract, and full text. Study quality and bias were assessed by two reviewers. PROSPERO ID: CRD42021238768. Results. 28 articles including 35 ACI cohorts were included in this review. The average range of motion (ROM) was found to improve with clinical significance (>5˚) and statistical significance (p < 0.05) postoperatively: 133.9 ± 5.5˚ to 139.2 ± 4.9˚ (n=12). Knee strength significantly improved within the first two postoperative years, but remained poorer than control groups at final follow-up (n=17). No statistical differences were found between ACI and control groups in their ability to perform functional activities like the 6-minute walk test. However, peak external knee extension and adduction moments during gait were significantly poorer in ACI patients when compared to controls. Conclusion. Generally, functional outcomes improved with clinical and statistical significance following ACI. However, knee strengths and external knee moments during gait remain significantly poorer than healthy controls, particularly >2-years postoperatively. Thus, ACI patients likely require targeted strength training as part of their rehabilitation programme

Introduction. Medial pivoting motion of the knee has been widely assumed in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) research, but was not consistently observed in recent studies of in vivo knee motion. This study investigated the in vivo motion characters of the knee by analyzing the axial tibial rotation and tibiofemoral articular contact motion during a weightbearing flexion and a treadmill gait. Methods. In vivo kinematics of eight living human knees during a weightbearing flexion and a treadmill gait was determined using a combined MRI and dual fluoroscopic imaging system technique. The axial tibial rotation and the tibiofemoral cartilage contact point motion on both the tibial plateau and femoral condyle surfaces were analyzed. Results. While internal tibial rotation was observed with flexion of the knee during the two activities, larger excursions of the tibiofemoral contact points were measured on the medial femoral condyle surface than on the lateral side during the weightbearing flexion of the knee. The contact point excursions were also larger on the medial tibial plateau surface than on the lateral side during the treadmill gait. The contact points moved anteriorly with flexion and posteriorly with extension of the knee on the medial tibial surface during the gait, that was opposite to the femoral rollback observed during the weightbearing knee flexion. Conclusion. The data indicates that the in-vivo knee motion is activity- and loading-dependent and cannot be described using a single motion character. The knee could potentially rotate with respect to an axis located at the lateral side of the knee and the traditional “medial pivoting” motion character of the knee was not observed in these in-vivo activities. The data could provide important implications for the improvement of TKA designs and implantation techniques that are aimed to restore normal knee function

Introduction. Studies of retrieved total knee replacement (TKR) components demonstrate that in vivo wear on the articular surface of polyethylene liners exhibits a much higher variability than their in vitro counterparts tested on simulators. 1. Only one study has attempted to validate a patient-specific model of wear with a clinically retrieved component. 2. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between observed TKR contact conditions during gait and measured volume loss on retrieved tibial components. Methods. Eleven retrieved ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) cruciate-retaining tibial liner components from ten separate patients (implantation time = 8.6±5.6 years) had matching gait trials of normal level walking for each knee. Volume loss on retrieved components was calculated using a coordinate measuring machine and autonomous reconstruction. 3. Motion analysis of normal level walking gait had been conducted between 1986 and 2005 for various previous studies and stored in a consented Human Mechanics Repository, ranging from pre-operative to long-term post-operative testing. Contact location between the femoral component and the tibial component on the medial and lateral plateaus were calculated throughout stance. 4. A previously validated and fine-tuned parametric numerical model was used to calculate TKR contact forces for each gait trial. 5. Vertical contact forces and contact paths on the medial and lateral plateaus were input as normal force and sliding distance to a simplified Archard equation for wear with material wear constant = 2.42 × 10. −7. mm. 3. /Nm. 2,6. to compute average wear per gait cycle. Wear rates were calculated using linear regression, and Pearson correlation examined correlations between modeled and measured wear. Results. Secondary motions at the knee from gait testing showed distinct grouping between trials of each patient (Fig. 1). Three components demonstrated severe polyethylene delamination and were excluded from wear rate analyses. All calculated wear rates for measured and modeled volume loss, shown in Fig. 2, showed excellent agreement and were not significantly different (Table 1). Measured wear rates were comparable to a previous study of a large population of retrieved Miller-Galante II components. 7. As seen in Fig 2b, medial wear volumes for six of eight mild wearing components were closely tracked by their modeled counterparts. Volumes were significantly correlated between measured and modeled wear for the total part and on the medial side, but not for the lateral side (Table 1). Conclusion. Because the Archard equation produces wear volumes that are linearly related to time in situ, deviations from linear predictions arise from patient-specific variations in contact forces and tibiofemoral pathways during normal walking gait. As suggested by the results of the current study, these variations in gait between patients result in meaningful differences to the wear of the UHMWPE component. Despite many assumptions, this study demonstrates the feasibility of a patient-specific model of wear using a rare population of gait-matched retrievals. This study suggests that gait analysis may play an important role in individualized medicine in orthopedics. For figures, tables, or references, please contact authors directly

Introduction. Identifying knee osteoarthritis patient phenotypes is relevant to assessing treatment efficacy. Biomechanical variability has not been applied to phenotyping, yet features may be related to outcomes of total knee arthroplasty (TKA), an inherently mechanical surgery. This study aimed to i) identify biomechanical phenotypes among TKA candidates based on demographic and gait mechanic similarities, and ii) compare objective gait improvements between phenotypes post-TKA. Methods. TKA patients underwent 3D gait analysis one-week pre (n=134) and one-year post-TKA (n=105). Principal component analysis was applied to frontal and sagittal knee angle and moment gait waveforms, extracting major patterns of variability. Demographics (age, sex, BMI), gait speed, and frontal and sagittal pre-TKA angle and moment principal component (PC) scores previously found to differentiate sex, osteoarthritis (OA) severity, and symptoms of TKA recipients were standardized (mean=0, SD=1, [134×15]) to perform multidimensional scaling and machine learning based hierarchical clustering. Final clusters were validated by examining inter-cluster differences at baseline and gait changes (Post. PCscore. –Pre. PCscore. ) by k-way Chi-Squared, and ANOVA tests. Results. Four (k=4) TKA candidate groups yielded optimum clustering metrics, interpreted as 1) high-functioning males, 2) older stiff-kneed males, 3) slower stiff-kneed females, and 4) high-functioning females. Pre-TKA, higher-functioning clusters (1 & 4) had more dynamic loading/un-loading kinetic patterns during stance (flexion moment PC2, 3<2<4<1, P<0.001; adduction moent PC2; 3,2<4<1; P<0.001). Post-TKA, higher-functioning clusters demonstrated less gait improvement (flexion angle ΔPC2, 1,2,4<3, P<0.001; flexion moment ΔPC2, 4<2,3, P<0.001; adduction moment ΔPC2, 1<3, P=0.01). Conclusions. TKA candidates can be characterized by four clusters, interpreted as 1) high-functioning males, 2) older stiff-kneed males, 3) slower stiff-kneed females, and 4) high-functioning females, differing by demographics and biomechanical severity features. Functional gains after TKA were cluster-specific; stiff-gait clusters experienced more improvement, while higher-functioning clusters demonstrated some functional decline. Results suggest the presence of cohorts who may not benefit functionally from TKA. Cluster profiling may aid in triaging and developing osteoarthritis management and surgical strategies that meet individual or group-level function needs. For figures, tables, or references, please contact authors directly

Abstract. Introduction. In cementless UKR, primary fixation of the tibial component is achieved by press-fitting a keel (i.e. with interference) into a vertical slot cut into the proximal tibia. This may adversely affect the structural integrity of surrounding bone. Early post-operative peri-prosthetic tibial fractures are 7x more common in very small knees, but the aetiology of these fractures is unknown - such sizes are rarely used in the UK but more common in Asian populations. This study explores the effect of keel-related features in fracture risk of these very small tibias. Method. This in vitro study compares the effect of keel and slot depth (standard vs 33% shallower vs nil) and loading position (anterior/posterior gait range limits: mid-tibia vs 8mm posterior) on fracture load and path. 3D-printed titanium components were implanted using surgical instrumentation/technique, in bone-analogue foam machined to a CT-reconstructed very small tibia which subsequently experienced a peri-prosthetic fracture. Results. Introducing a standard slot reduces load-to-fracture by 50% (1421N-vs-710N, p<0.0001). Press-fitting a standard keel further reduces load-to-fracture by 40% (710N-vs-423N, p=0.0001). A shallower slot/keel increases load-to-fracture substantially (slot: 27% increase, 904N-vs-710N p=0.0003, slot+keel: 60% increase, 683N-vs-423N p=0.0004). Deeper keels fractured more vertically (current 8.2° vs shallow 15.5° vs nil 21°, degrees-to-vertical, p<0.0001). There was no difference caused by loading position. Conclusion. In very small tibias, a standard cementless keel significantly weakens the bone and may contribute to fractures. Therefore, decreasing interference or using a shallower keel should decrease the risk of fracture, although it might compromise fixation

The aim of this study was to analyse the gait pattern, muscle force and functional outcome of patients who had undergone replacement of the proximal tibia for tumour and alloplastic reconstruction of the extensor mechanism using the patellar-loop technique. Between February 1998 and December 2009, we carried out wide local excision of a primary sarcoma of the proximal tibia, proximal tibial replacement and reconstruction of the extensor mechanism using the patellar-loop technique in 18 patients. Of these, nine were available for evaluation after a mean of 11.6 years (0.5 to 21.6). The strength of the knee extensors was measured using an Isobex machine and gait analysis was undertaken in our gait assessment laboratory. Functional outcome was assessed using the American Knee Society (AKS) and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) scores. The gait pattern of the patients differed in ground contact time, flexion heel strike, maximal flexion loading response and total sagittal plane excursion. The mean maximum active flexion was 91° (30° to 110°). The overall mean extensor lag was 1° (0° to 5°). The mean extensor muscle strength was 25.8% (8.3% to 90.3%) of that in the non-operated leg (p < 0.001). The mean functional scores were 68.7% (43.4% to 83.3%) (MSTS) and 71.1 (30 to 90) (AKS functional score). In summary, the results show that reconstruction of the extensor mechanism using this technique gives good biomechanical and functional results. The patients’ gait pattern is close to normal, except for a somewhat stiff knee gait pattern. The strength of the extensor mechanism is reduced, but sufficient for walking. . Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1063–9

Objectives. Malrotation of the femoral component can result in post-operative complications in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), including patellar maltracking. Therefore, we used computational simulation to investigate the influence of femoral malrotation on contact stresses on the polyethylene (PE) insert and on the patellar button as well as on the forces on the collateral ligaments. Materials and Methods. Validated finite element (FE) models, for internal and external malrotations from 0° to 10° with regard to the neutral position, were developed to evaluate the effect of malrotation on the femoral component in TKA. Femoral malrotation in TKA on the knee joint was simulated in walking stance-phase gait and squat loading conditions. Results. Contact stress on the medial side of the PE insert increased with internal femoral malrotation and decreased with external femoral malrotation in both stance-phase gait and squat loading conditions. There was an opposite trend in the lateral side of the PE insert case. Contact stress on the patellar button increased with internal femoral malrotation and decreased with external femoral malrotation in both stance-phase gait and squat loading conditions. In particular, contact stress on the patellar button increased by 98% with internal malrotation of 10° in the squat loading condition. The force on the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) increased with internal and external femoral malrotations, respectively. Conclusions. These findings provide support for orthopaedic surgeons to determine a more accurate femoral component alignment in order to reduce post-operative PE problems. Cite this article: K-T. Kang, Y-G. Koh, J. Son, O-R. Kwon, C. Baek, S. H. Jung, K. K. Park. Measuring the effect of femoral malrotation on knee joint biomechanics for total knee arthroplasty using computational simulation. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:552–559. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.511.BJR-2016-0107.R1

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a gender-specific high-flexion posterior-stabilised (PS) total knee replacement (TKR) would offer advantages over a high-flex PS TKR regarding range of movement (ROM), ‘feel’ of the knee, pain and satisfaction, as well as during activity. A total of 24 female patients with bilateral osteoarthritis entered this prospective, blind randomised trial in which they received a high-flex PS TKR in one knee and a gender-specific high-flexion PS TKR in the other knee. At follow-up, patients were assessed clinically measuring ROM, and questioned about pain, satisfaction and daily ‘feel’ of each knee. Patients underwent gait analysis pre-operatively and at one year, which yielded kinematic, kinetic and temporospatial parameters indicative of knee function during gait. At final follow-up we found no statistically significant differences in ROM (p = 0.82). The median pain score was 0 (0 to 8) in both groups (p = 0.95). The median satisfaction score was 9 (4 to 10) in the high-flex group and 8 (0 to 10) in the gender-specific group (p = 0.98). The median ‘feel’ score was 9 (3 to 10) in the high-flex group and 8 (0 to 10) in the gender-specific group (p = 0.66). Gait analysis showed no statistically significant differences between the two prosthetic designs in any kinematic, kinetic or temporospatial parameters. Both designs produced good clinical results with significant improvements in several gait parameters without evidence of any advantage in the gender-specific design