Can prosthesis design of total knee arthroplasty affect balance?

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) retaining or substituting in total knee arthroplasty affect the balance. Between March 2010 and April 2014, a total of 41 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty in our clinic were included in the study. A PCL-substitution prosthesis was used in 21 patients (group 1) and a PCL-retaining prosthesis was used in 20 patients (group 2). Balance and fall risk were evaluated using a balance assessment device. The patients were examined by the Berg Functional Balance Scale. The mean follow-up was 25.6±9.7 months. There was no statistically significant difference in static or dynamic overall stability, mediolateral stability or fall risk between the two types of prostheses. A significant difference in the dynamic anteroposterior stability index scores was observed between the groups. Our study results show that PCL-substitution prosthesis affects the balance positively in total knee arthroplasty. Therefore, PCL-substitution prosthesis design should be considered for patients who have risk factors for balance disorder, in particular.