Change in the joint line in TKA has been recognized as an important parameter in association with post-operative soft tissue tension, range of motion, and knee kinematics. In general, the joint line has been assessed only in tibial side based on the bony reference point of tibia. However, the joint line should also be assessed in the femoral side. This is because a replaced femoral condyle often does not accurately restore the geometry of the original condyle, depending on the alignment, the size, or the design of the component. This discrepancy, especially in the geometry of the distal and posterior condyle will greatly affect the knee kinetics in association with the soft tissue tension. Objective of this study was to investigate how joint line was changed in femoral and tibial condyle by TKA.

We have developed a method to assess the femoral-joint line and the tibial joint line three-dimensionally and quantitatively by the 3D model image matching to biplanar computed radiography. Twenty-knees underwent TKA and 3D joint line examination.

Most of the knees demonstrated the significant proximal movement of the medial joint line in tibia, while the lateral joint line was restored. The significant distal movement of the distal femoral joint line was demonstrated in most of the knees, and it was demonstrated more frequently in medial condyle. Most of the knees demonstrated the significant anterior movement of posterior femoral joint line while no knee demonstrated the significant posterior movement.

From the results of this report, it was proved that the joint line can be changed by TKA procedure not only in tibial condyle but also in distal and posterior femoral condyles with considerable variations. In addition, it was also proved that there can be a difference in the change in the joint line between medial and lateral condyle.

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Single plane 2D-3D image matching procedure using fluoroscopic images with CAD data of components has been a gold standard of the in-vivo knee kinematics analysis after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Numerous literatures have highlighted the “Condylar lift-off” (CLO) phenomenon that is thought to be the cause of eccentric polyethylene wear. However, these reports have not taken account of the 3D geometry of tibial polyethylene insert (TPI).

We have developed a system for analyzing static 3D relationship between femoral and tibial component after TKA accurately utilizing the biplanar computed radiography. By applying this system to fluoroscopic knee motion analysis, it has been possible to analyze the 3Dbehavior of femoral component on the TPI by reducing the error in determining the out of plane translation and rotation. Four knees underwent TKA and postoperative knee motion analysis. Knee kinematics was analyzed by translation of medial and lateral estimated contact points of femoral component on TPI. CLO was defined as the separation of femoral component from TPI by more than 1 mm.

All 4 knees showed the “tilting” of femoral condyle relativeto tibial base plate in coronal plane (this phenomenon has been generally recognized as CLO) resulted from that one femoral condyle contacted with the lower potion in convex geometry of the TPI while the other contacted with the higher potion. This was occurred by a rotation of femoral condyle. However, no CLO was demonstrated in this series. This might be because that recorded knee motions were relatively slow and supported by examiners.

From the results of this report, it was proved that a tilting of femoral component relative to tibial base plate in coronal plane not always indicates CLO. For detailed analysis of knee kinematics after TKA, it was thought to be necessary to take account of the geometry of TPI.