Achieving deep flexion after total knee replacement remains a challenge. In this study we compared the soft-tissue tension and tibiofemoral force in a mobile-bearing posterior cruciate ligament-sacrificing total knee replacement, using equal flexion and extension gaps, and with the gaps increased by 2 mm each. The tests were conducted during passive movement in five cadaver knees, and measurements of strain were made simultaneously in the collateral ligaments. The tibiofemoral force was measured using a customised mini-force plate in the tibial tray. Measurements of collateral ligament strain were not very sensitive to changes in the gap ratio, but tibiofemoral force measurements were. Tibiofemoral force was decreased by a mean of 40% (sd 10.7) after 90° of knee flexion when the flexion gap was increased by 2 mm. Increasing the extension gap by 2 mm affected the force only in full extension. Because increasing the range of flexion after total knee replacement beyond 110° is a widely-held goal, small increases in the flexion gap warrant further investigation.

Normal function of the patellofemoral joint is maintained by a complex interaction between soft tissues and articular surfaces. No quantitative data have been found on the relative contributions of these structures to patellar stability. Eight knees were studied using a materials testing machine to displace the patella 10 mm laterally and medially and measure the force required. Patellar stability was tested from 0° to 90° knee flexion with the quadriceps tensed to 175 N. Four conditions were examined: intact, vastus medialis obliquus relaxed, flat lateral condyle, and ruptured medial retinaculae. Abnormal trochlear geometry reduced the lateral stability by 70% at 30° flexion, while relaxation of vastus medialis obliquus caused a 30% reduction. Ruptured medial retinaculae had the largest effect at 0° flexion with 49% reduction. There was no effect on medial stability. There is a complex interaction between these structures, with their contributions to loss of lateral patellar stability varying with knee flexion.

We have evaluated the effect of the short-term administration of low therapeutic doses of modern COX-2 inhibitors on the healing of fractures.

A total of 40 adult male New Zealand rabbits were divided into five groups. A mid-diaphyseal osteotomy of the right ulna was performed and either normal saline, prednisolone, indometacin, meloxicam or rofecoxib was administered for five days. Radiological, biomechanical and histomorphometric evaluation was performed at six weeks.

In the group in which the highly selective anti-COX-2 agent, rofecoxib, was used the incidence of radiologically-incomplete union was similar to that in the control group. All the biomechanical parameters were statistically significantly lower in both the prednisolone and indometacin (p = 0.01) and in the meloxicam (p = 0.04) groups compared with the control group. Only the fracture load values were found to be statistically significantly lower (p = 0.05) in the rofecoxib group. Histomorphometric parameters were adversely affected in all groups with the specimens of the rofecoxib group showing the least negative effect.

Our findings indicated that the short-term administration of low therapeutic doses of a highly selective COX-2 inhibitor had a minor negative effect on bone healing.