Posterior-cruciate ligament retaining (CR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) designs have long been used with excellent clinical success, but have shown kinematics that are significantly different from the natural knee. Recently, variations on traditional CR designs have been introduced. The purpose of this study was to compare deep-flexion knee kinematics in patients with two types of CR-TKA: one group received a traditional non-conforming symmetric articular configuration, and one group received a design incorporating a lateral compartment which is fully congruent in extension, but lax in flexion – approximating the function of the anterior cruciate ligament.

In vivo kinematics were analysed using 3D model registration and plain radiographs of kneeling and squatting activities in 20 TKAs in 18 patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Two surgeons worked together placing all components. Ten knees received a traditional CR-TKA (CR Group), and 10 knees received an ACL-substituting TKA (AS Group). CR Group subjects averaged 66.1±7.4 years and were 12.3±0.5 months post-op. AS Group subjects averaged 68.0±5.4 years and were 12.4±0.7 months post-op. True lateral radiographs were taken in 4 positions:

with the patient in a weight-bearing, single-leg stance,

Two-way repeated measure ANOVA was conducted to determine if there were effects of design or flexion angle on the AP tibiofemoral contact position. Medial and lateral sides were analyzed separately. The level of significance was set at p< 0.05.

There was no significant difference in the average post-operative Knee Society Clinical/Functional Scores between CR Group (96±2/88±11) and AS Group (94±2/92±9). Clinical ROM was recorded using a handheld goniometer. The clinical pre-operative passive ROM was 113 °±15° (80°–135°) for CR Group and 116°±20° (65°–140°) for AS Group (p=0.75). The clinical post-operative passive ROM was 117°±11° (100°–130°) for CR Group and 127°±13° (115°–160°) for AS Group (p=0.07). During squatting, the implant flexion angle was greater for AS Group (119°±15°: 101°–157°) compared to CR Group (104°±10°: 94°–123°, p=0.02). Tibial external rotation at maximum kneeling and squatting activities were significantly larger in AS Group knees (10.2°±4.8°/9.0°±3.9° versus 16.6°±4.1°/15.8°±4.1°, p=0.00/p=0.00). Average tibiofemoral contact position of the lateral condyle during squatting activity was significantly posterior in AS Group compared to CR Group (−11.2±5.6mm vs. −6.2±3.0mm, p=0.02).

Substitution of the ACL by a lateral compartment which is conforming in extension may provide more natural stability and function with knee arthroplasty. In this comparison of two small groups, knees with the ACL-substituting design exhibited femoral AP translation and rotation closer to the natural knee than did knees receiving a traditional symmetric CR prosthesis. The long-term success of TKA depends not only on kinematics factors, such as those reported here, but also on polyethylene wear and patellar complication. A longer-term clinical study will be required to determine if high flexion activity will lead to increase polyethylene wear or patellar complications.

Aims: Valgus pes planus deformities in patients with RA are similar to those seen with TPTD. The valgus pes planus deformities that derive from RA and TPTD do not necessarily have the same etiology, however. With this in mind, we studied TPTD in patients with RA using plain radiographs and MRI scanning. Methods: We studied 12 feet from 10 patients with RA, with 1 male and 10 female subjects. Plain radiographs were taken using the method of Yokokura, and the L, N, C, R and T values were determined for the longitudinal arch. MRI þndings were then classiþed as Type I, II or III, based on the classiþcation of Conti et al. The radiological þndings were also correlated with the clinical þndings. Results: The mean values for the longitudinal arch parameters were: L 21.2±4.0%; N 26.5±6.2%; C 30.5±4.5%; R 48.9±5.8%; and T 30.8±4.3%. MRI scanning revealed 4 feet of Type I, 3 Type II, and no Type III, with no abnormality detected in 5 feet. Conclusions: We examined the relationship between foot deformities and the tibialis posterior tendon in patients with RA, using plain radiographs and MRI scanning. In RA a condition corresponding to TPTD may lead to a valgus pes planus deformity, but this deformity may also arise from a high degree of joint destruction unrelated to the tibialis posterior tendon. We therefore concluded that the valgus pes planus deformity in patients with RA is not necessarily caused by disorders of the tibialis posterior tendon. We also concluded that degeneration of the tibialis posterior tendon in patients with RA is related to joint inßammation.

Experimental injuries of cartilage and bone were produced by applying shear force to the articular surfaces of the lateral femoral condyles of six-month-old pigs under various loading conditions. The lesions were divided into two groups, 'open' or 'closed', depending on the presence of a crack on the articular surface. Each was further divided into four types according to the depth of penetrating injury: (1) splitting of uncalcified cartilage; (2) splitting at the subchondral plate; (3) subchondral fracture; and (4) intra-articular fracture. When shear force was applied at high speed but with low energy, the articular cartilage surface was the first to crack. At low speed and low energy, splits occurred in the deeper layers first. As the energy increased, both loading conditions eventually resulted in similar open lesions. Experimentally produced shear injuries are useful models for clinical osteochondral fracture, osteochondritis dissecans, and chondromalacia patellae.