Total Knee Arthroplasty Side Research Articles

Chronological Changes in Gait Oscillation in Patients after Total Knee Arthroplasty

Background: Pain and knee function improve immediately following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, immediate improvements in gait oscillation are not observed following TKA. This analysis aimed to chronologically assess changes in gait oscillation during walking in post-TKA patients. Methods: Twenty patients who were diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis underwent unilateral TKA. A Bi-Surface posterior-stabilized (PS) prosthesis with cementation was used for all patients. Acceleration (anterior, vertical, TKA side -, and -contralateral side directions) was examined during walking. A preoperative analysis was performed followed by postoperative analyses at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results: Acceleration in the anterior direction and the sacral region tended to increase until 6 months post-TKA, but remained largely unchanged thereafter. In the dorsal vertebral region, acceleration to the anterior direction trended to decrease over time. Additionally, acceleration in the TKA-side direction in the sacral and dorsal vertebral region also tended to decrease over time. The post-TKA sacral-dorsal vertebral ratio in the TKA-side direction tended to increase over time, and the values on the contralateral side direction tended to increase for up to 6 months; however, there was no significant change thereafter. Conclusion: Acceleration in the anterior and lateral directions (TKA side) may improve chronologically after TKA, and gait may be performed mainly on the pelvic girdle during the postoperative course of TKA.

Positive effect of total knee arthroplasty on progression of arteriosclerosis evaluated by cardio-ankle vascular index.

Physical function is expected to improve with an increase in physical activity owing to improvement in knee joint pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This study was performed to evaluate the impact of TKA on arteriosclerosis by measuring the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) before and after surgery. In total, 206 consecutive patients undergoing unilateral TKA were investigated. The CAVI, an index of the overall stiffness of the artery from the origin of the aorta to the ankle, was used to evaluate the degree of arteriosclerosis. The CAVI of the TKA side and non-TKA side was compared before and 1year after TKA. There were no differences in the CAVI before and after TKA on the TKA side and non-TKA side, although these values should have worsened at 1year compared with preoperative values. The CAVI, which did not differ between the two sides preoperatively, differed significantly between the two sides postoperatively (p = 0.013). A generalized linear model showed no interaction between each time point and the measured sides in terms of the CAVI. The relationship between the preoperative CAVI and the difference between the preoperative and postoperative CAVI were examined, showing that R = - 0.428 (p < 0.001) for the TKA side and R = - 0.416 (p < 0.001) for the non-TKA side (significant negative correlation). The lack of significant age-related deterioration over time on both sides suggests that TKA may slow the progression of arteriosclerosis, especially on the operated side. The effect of TKA was found to be greater with a higher CAVI (i.e., more advanced arteriosclerosis).

Value of personalized extramedullary positioning technique on tibia side for coronal alignment of tibial prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty

To explore the coronal alignment of tibial prosthesis after osteotomy using personalized extramedullary positioning technique on tibia side in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A clinical data of 170 patients (210 knees) who underwent primary TKA between January 2020 and June 2021 and met the selection criteria was retrospectively analyzed. Personalized and traditional extramedullary positioning techniques were used in 93 cases (114 knees, personalized positioning group) and 77 cases (96 knees, traditional positioning group), respectively. The personalized extramedullary positioning was based on the anatomical characteristics of the tibia, a personalized positioning point was selected as the proximal extramedullary positioning point on the articular surface of the tibial plateau. There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender, age, body mass index, surgical side, course of osteoarthritis, and Kellgren-Lawrence classification ( P>0.05). The preoperative tibial bowing angle (TBA) formed by the proximal and distal tibial coronal anatomical axes in the personalized positioning group was measured and the tibia axis was classified, and the distribution of personalized positioning point was analyzed. The pre- and post-operative hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), the lateral distal tibial angle (LDTA), and the postoperative tibia component angle (TCA), the excellent rate of tibial prosthesis alignment in coronal position were compared between the two groups. In the personalized positioning group, 58 knees (50.88%) were straight tibia, 35 knees (30.70%) were medial bowing tibia, and 21 knees (18.42%) were lateral bowing tibia. The most positioning points located on the highest point of the lateral intercondylar spine (62.07%) in the straight tibia group, while in the medial bowing tibia and lateral bowing tibia groups, most positioning points located in the area between the medial and lateral intercondylar spines (51.43%) and the lateral slope of the lateral intercondylar spine (57.14%), respectively. The difference in HKA between pre- and post-operation in the two groups was significant ( P<0.05); while the difference in LDTA was not significant ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in preoperative LDTA and HKA and the difference between pre- and post-operation between groups ( P>0.05). But there was significant difference in postoperative TCA between groups ( P<0.05). The postoperative tibial plateau prosthesis in the traditional positioning group was more prone to varus than the personalized positioning group. The excellent rates of tibial prosthesis alignment in coronal position were 96.5% (110/114) and 87.5% (84/96) in personalized positioning group and traditional positioning group, respectively, showing a significant difference between groups ( χ 2=7.652, P=0.006). It is feasible to use personalized extramedullary positioning technique for coronal osteotomy on the tibia side in TKA. Compared with the traditional extramedullary positioning technique, the personalized extramedullary positioning technique has a higher excellent rate of tibial prosthesis alignment in coronal position.

The Adjustment of the Rotational Alignment of the Distal End of the Extramedullary Guide to the Anteroposterior Axis of the Proximal Tibia in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

The optimal placement within 3 degrees in coronal alignment was reportedly achieved in only 60 to 80% of patients when using an extramedullary alignment guide for the tibial side in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This probably occurs because the extramedullary alignment guide is easily affected by the position of the ankle joint which is difficult to define by tibial torsion. Rotational direction of distal end of the extramedullary guide should be aligned to the anteroposterior (AP) axis of the proximal tibia to acquire optimal coronal alignment in the computer simulation studies; however, its efficacy has not been proven in a clinical setting. The distal end of the guide can be overly displaced from the ideal position when using a conventional guide system despite the alignment of the AP axis to the proximal tibia. This study investigated the effect of displacement of the distal end of extramedullary guide relative to the tibial coronal alignment while adjusting the rotational alignment of the distal end to the AP axis of the proximal tibia in TKA. A total of 50 TKAs performed in 50 varus osteoarthritic knees using an image-free navigation system were included in this study. The rotational alignment of the proximal side of the guide was adjusted to the AP axis of the proximal tibia. The position of the distal end of the guide was aligned to the center of the ankle joint as viewed from the proximal AP axis (ideal position) and as determined by the navigation system. The tibial intraoperative coronal alignments were recorded as the distal end was moved from the ideal position at 3-mm intervals. The intraoperative alignments were 0.5, 0.9, and 1.4 degrees in valgus alignment with 3-, 6-, and 9-mm medial displacements, respectively. The intraoperative alignments were 0.7, 1.2, and 1.7 degrees in varus alignment with 3-, 6-, and 9-mm lateral displacements, respectively. In conclusion, the acceptable tibial coronal alignment (within 2 degrees from the optimal alignment) can be achieved, although some displacement of the distal end from the ideal position can occur after the rotational alignment of the distal end of the guide is adjusted to the AP axis of the proximal tibia.

The unicompartmental knee is the preferred side in individuals with both a unicompartmental and total knee arthroplasty

PurposeTo determine the preferred knee in patients with both one total and one unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.MethodPatients simply with a unicompartmental (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on contralateral sides were retrospectively screened from three senior knee surgeon’s logs over a 15 year period. Patients safe and free from other diseases to affect gait were approached. A total of 16 patients (mean age 70 ± 8) agreed to ground reaction force testing on an instrumented treadmill at a fair pace and incline. A gender-ratio identical group of 16 healthy control subjects (mean age 67 ± 10) and 16 patients with ipsilateral medial knee OA (mean age 66 ± 7) were analysed to compare.ResultsRadiographically the mode preoperative Kellgren–Lawrence knee grade for each side was 3. Postoperatively, the TKA side had a mean coronal femoral component alignment of 7° and a mean tibial coronal alignment of 89° with a mean posterior slope of 5° in the sagittal plane. The UKA side had a mean coronal femoral component alignment of 7° and a mean tibial coronal alignment of 86° with a mean posterior slope of 4° in the sagittal plane. In 7 patients, the TKA was the first procedure, while 6 for the UKA and 3 done simultaneously. Gait analysis demonstrated in both walking conditions the UKA limb was the preferred side through all phases of loading (p < 0.05) and nearer to normal than the TKA limb when compared to healthy controls and patients with knee OA. The greatest difference was observed between the transition of weight acceptance and midstance (p = 0.008), when 22% more load was taken by the UKA side.ConclusionBy using a dynamic metric of an everyday activity, a distinct gait difference between differing arthroplasty types were established. A more natural loading pattern can be achieved with unicompartmentals as compared to total knees.Level of evidenceRetrospective comparative study, Level III.

DXA evaluation of femoral bone mineral density and cortical width in patients with prior total knee arthroplasty.

Periprosthetic fractures following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are not rare. We hypothesized that TKA is associated with low BMD, potentially increasing periprosthetic fracture risk. However, distal femur dual energy x-ray (DXA) measurement is virtually never performed after TKA due to lack of standardized approaches. Thus, this study's aims were to develop standard DXA femur regions of interest (ROIs), assess cortical width, and determine measurement reproducibility in TKA patients. Thirty adults (15 M/15 F) age 59-80years with unilateral, primary TKA within 2-5years had femoral DXA scans performed in duplicate using a Lunar iDXA densitometer. In prior work, we established that femur BMD was lowest in the distal metaphysis and highest in mid-shaft. Thus, BMD and cortical width were measured at 15%, 25%, and 60% of the femur length measured from the distal notch. Femur BMD and cortical width were compared between limbs (TKA vs. non-operated side) by paired t test. BMD was 3.2-9.9% lower (p < 0.001) in the operated femur at all custom ROIs; substantial between individual differences existed with some up to 30% lower. Cortical width was lower (p < 0.05) at the 25% ROI on the TKA side. BMD reproducibility was excellent; CV 0.85-1.33%. Distal femur BMD can be reproducibly measured using DXA and is ~ 10% lower on the TKA leg. Similarly, medial and lateral cortices are thinner at the 25% ROI. These bone changes likely increase periprosthetic fracture risk. Further work to define and mitigate periprosthetic fracture risk after TKA is needed.

Changes in physical function and isokinetic muscular strength of quadriceps and hamstrings three months after a rapid recovery total knee arthroplasty

The Osteoarthritis Research Society International recommends evaluating physical function in gonarthrosic patients after a total knee arthroplasty using tests such as timed up and go (TUG) and six-minute walking test (6MWT). In 1991, Berman et al. found that strength was not fully recovered until two years after surgery. Our aim was to demonstrate the results in physical function and isokinetic muscular strength of gonarthrosis patients prior to undergoing surgery and three months after a total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Prospective study (September 2016–December 2017) of patients with gonarthrosis awaiting a total knee arthroplasty surgery. Variables recorded: gender, age, dominant hand, operated side, body mass index (BMI), walking aids. Measured outcomes before surgery and three months afterwards: Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at rest and active, TUG, 6MWT and mean peak torque (PT) of isokinetic strength of quadriceps and hamstrings between the TKA side and the unaffected knee at 60°/s. Data analysis of means and percentages. Means compared using Student t and non-parametric tests. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. Forty-four patients, 36.4% male. Mean age 67.8 ± 6.5. Mean BMI 30.3 ± 6.7; 63.6% of the individuals used walking aids before surgery and 84.1% did not use them after surgery. The results obtained on VAS and physical function prior to surgery and three months after the intervention were. A decrease of strength in the affected quadriceps and a significant decrease of strength in the affected hamstrings were observed. However the strength of the unaffected quadriceps increased slightly and the unaffected hamstrings strength did not vary. Three months after a TKA surgery, even though there was a descent in muscular strength in the affected limb, our patients experienced an improvement in physical function possibly due to pain decrease.

Subchondral stem cell therapy versus contralateral total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis following secondary osteonecrosis of the knee.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) implanted in patients with secondary osteonecrosis (ON) related to corticosteroids have relatively poor outcome (20% revision rate) at a mean follow-up of only eightyears. With the hypothesis that subchondral bone marrow injection might improve knees in these patients, we evaluated 30 patients who had bilateral knee osteoarthritis with severe joint space narrowing and received TKA in one knee and subchondral bone marrow concentrate injection in the contralateral knee. A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial was carried out in 60 knees of 30 patients (mean age 28years, 18-41) who presented bilateral osteoarthritis secondary to knee ON related to corticosteroids in relation with different severe medical conditions. During the same anesthesia, one knee received TKA; for the other knee, a bone marrow graft containing an average of 6500 MSCs/mL (counted as CFU-F, range 3420 to 9830) was delivered to the subchondral bone of the femur and tibia. The length of anesthesia related to each procedure (bone marrow aspiration and subchondral injection of concentrated bone marrow versus total knee arthroplasty) was measured. Peri-operative outcomes, morbidity, complications, and safety of the two procedures were compared. Subsequent admissions for revision surgery were identified. At the most recent follow-up (average of 12years, range 8 to 16years), clinical outcomes of the patient (Knee Society score) were obtained along with radiological imaging outcomes (MRIs for knees with subchondral bone marrow injection). Anesthesia related to the TKA side was longer than for the cell therapy group. Medical and surgical complications were more frequent after TKA. A higher number of thrombophlebitis was observed on the side with TKA (15%) versus none on the side with cell therapy (0%). At the most recent follow-up (average of 12years, range 8 to 16years), six (out of 30) TKA knees needed subsequent surgery versus only one with cell therapy. The Knee Score had improved and remained similar in the TKA and cell therapy groups (respectively 80.3 points ± 11 versus 78.3 ± 23); 21 patients preferred the knee with cell therapy and 9 preferred the knee with TKA. Knees with cell therapy had improvement on cartilage and bone marrow lesions observed at the site of bone marrow subchondral injection. Subchondral autologous bone marrow concentrate was an effective procedure for treating young patients with knee osteoarthritis following secondary ON of the knee related to corticosteroids with a lower complication rate and a quicker recovery as compared with TKA.

Serial Changes of Quadriceps and Hamstring Muscle Strength Following Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis.

This meta-analysis was performed to analyze serial changes in thigh muscles, including quadriceps and hamstring muscles, from before to one year after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). All studies sequentially comparing isokinetic quadriceps and hamstring muscle strengths between the TKA side and the contralateral uninjured limb were included in this meta-analysis. Five studies with 7 cohorts were included in this meta-analysis. The mean differences in the strengths of quadriceps and hamstring muscles between the TKA and uninjured sides were greatest three months after surgery (26.8 N∙m, 12.8 N∙m, P<0.001), but were similar to preoperative level at six months (18.4 N∙m, 7.4 N∙m P<0.001) and were maintained for up to one year (15.9 N∙m, 4.1 N∙m P<0.001). The pooled mean differences in changes in quadriceps and hamstring strengths relative to preoperative levels were 9.2 N∙m and 4.9 N∙m, respectively, three months postoperatively (P = 0.041), but were no longer significant after six months and one year. During the year after TKA, quadriceps and hamstring muscle strengths were lowest after 3 months, recovering to preoperative level after six months, but not reaching the muscle strength on the contralateral side. Relative to preoperative levels, the difference in muscle strength between the TKA and contralateral knees was only significant at three months. Because decrease of strength of the quadriceps was significantly greater than decrease in hamstring muscle strength at postoperative three months, early rehabilitation after TKA should focus on recovery of quadriceps muscle strength.

Two-dimensional planning can result in internal rotation of the femoral component in total knee arthroplasty.

The first purpose of this study was to compare the reproducibility of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) measurements for preoperative planning of the femoral side in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The second purpose was to evaluate the factors affecting the differences between the 2D and 3D measurements. Two-dimensional and 3D measurements for preoperative planning of the femoral side in TKA were evaluated in 75 varus knees with osteoarthritis. The femoral valgus angle, defined as the angle between the mechanical and anatomical axes of the femur, and the clinical rotation angle and surgical rotation angle, defined by the angles between the posterior condylar line and the clinical or surgical transepicondylar axes, respectively, were analysed using 2D (radiographs and axial CT slices) and 3D (3D bone models reconstructed from CT images) measurements. For all variables, 3D measurements were more reliable and reproducible than 2D measurements. The medians and ranges of the clinical rotation angle and surgical rotation angle were 6.6° (-1.7° to 12.1°) and 2.3° (-2.5° to 8.6°) in 2D, and 7.1° (2.7° to 11.4°) and 3.0° (-2.0° to 7.5°) in 3D. Varus/valgus alteration of the CT scanning direction relative to the mechanical axis affected the difference in clinical rotation angles between 2D and 3D measurements. Significantly, smaller values of the clinical rotation angle and surgical rotation angle were obtained by 2D compared to 3D measurements, which could result in internal rotation of the femoral component even if the surgeon performs the bone cutting precisely. Regarding clinical relevance, first, this study confirmed the reliability of 3D measurements. Second, it underscored the risk of internal rotation of the femoral component when using 2D measurement, even with precise bone cutting technique. These results will help surgeons avoid malpositioning of the femoral component if 2D measurements are used for preoperative planning in TKA. Prospective comparative study, Level Ш.

Asymmetry of the Leg Alignment Affects Trunk Bending in the Coronal Plane After Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

Unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) would produce asymmetric changes of lower extremity in patients with bilateral varus deformity. Our purpose was to investigate whether asymmetry of the leg alignment would affect trunk bending in the coronal plane after unilateral TKA. Twenty patients (mean 76years old) with bilateral end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) participated. Spine images during relaxed standing were obtained on pre- and postoperative day 21. As a result, the shoulder tilted more to the TKA side and the pelvis inclined more to the contralateral OA side. These results suggested that the trunk would bend away from the contralateral OA side after unilateral TKA in patients with bilateral end-stage knee OA and varus deformity. Asymmetry of the leg alignment led to asymmetric trunk bending.

When does postoperative standing function after total knee arthroplasty improve beyond preoperative level of function?

The purpose of the current study was to investigate inpatient recovery process during relaxed standing, and to clarify the question of when postoperative standing function would improve beyond preoperative level of function following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Thirty patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis, averaged 75 years old, participated. Subjects underwent unilateral TKA. Evaluations were divided into two categories; subjective and objective components. Subjective component was based on pain level (Visual Analog Scale: 100 mm), and objective component consisted of vertical knee force (%BW) and knee flexion angle (degrees) during relaxed standing. Data evaluations were done pre- and post-operatively. Preoperative pain score was 69.1. After TKA, pain level became maximum (89.9) and significantly larger on postoperative day 3. Thereafter, pain gradually decreased, and it (60.4) was significantly smaller on postoperative day 8 than preoperative score. Preoperative vertical knee force was 43.5%BW. After TKA, it became minimum (32.8) on postoperative day 3. Thereafter, knee force gradually increased, and it (44.1) was significantly larger on postoperative day 17. Preoperative knee flexion angle was 15.6°. After TKA, knee flexion angle during standing became maximum (20.0) on postoperative day 4. Thereafter, subjects could gradually extend the knee, and on postoperative day 16, it (14.3°) was smaller. From our results, subjective pain was significantly reduced from postoperative day 8, and objective knee condition, including vertical knee force on TKA side and knee flexion angle on TKA side during standing, significantly became better from postoperative day 17 and 16, respectively.

A Comparison of Gait Analysis after Total Knee Arthroplasty and Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty in the Same Patient

Purpose: To compare the gait characteristics of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) performed on the same patient. Materials and Methods: Twelve female patients with advanced degenerative arthritis of both knee joints were enrolled for the study group. The mean age was 70.3 (64-74) years old. One side of the knee joint had been replaced with UKA and the other side with TKA. The mean follow-up period was 11.8 months for the UKA side and 14.8 months for TKA side. The clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed. The gait features of the study group were assessed using computerized gait analysis. Seven age-matched healthy female volunteers (14 knees) were included as the normal control group. Results: The clinical and radiographic results improved after joint replacement in both groups. The postoperative gait was almost normalized regardless of the type of surgery performed, with the exception of some parameters including the walking speed, mean pelvic tilt, knee flexion at initial contact, peak knee flexion, knee flexion between initial contact and loading response, knee flexion between initial swing phase and mid-stance phase and ankle 3rd rocker. Knee flexion at the initial contact of UKA and TKA groups was similar, and was different from that of the normal control group. At the loading response, the amount of knee flexion was similar between the three groups. Kinetic data of the first peak vertical ground reaction force and hip extension moment at loading response were better in the UKA group. Conclusion: The gait features were normalized in both groups. The UKA group was better normalized than the TKA group in terms of the aspect of the gait features, whereas TKA group showed better correction of deformities.

The role of joint afferents in sensory processing in osteoarthritic knees.

To test the role of joint receptors for proprioception in patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis (OA) and patients who had undergone unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Nine patients were tested bilaterally with a conventional movement detection paradigm that evaluated conscious detection perception and a newly developed hunting paradigm that measured maximal sensory performance (hunting perception). For detection perception, patients exhibited a slightly lower threshold on the arthritic side than on their TKA side. For hunting perception, the patients showed threshold values that were an order of magnitude smaller than for the conventional paradigm in both knees. Performance was much better on prosthetic knees than on OA knees. The joint receptors of OA knees might have an adverse effect on the maximal proprioceptive performance, being important for the normal reflexive knee joint functions. These deficits may be overcome by joint receptor removal during knee replacement.

Unicompartmental Versus Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Same Patient

The purpose of this study was to compare unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) with total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and more specifically to evaluate the role of the patella in patient preference between UKA and TKA. A group of 23 patients were chosen, each with a UKA in one knee and a TKA in the opposite knee. As a subset of the group, 13 patients were compared who had not had patellar resurfacing on their TKA side (Group A) versus ten patients who had patellar resurfacing (Group B). Each patient had a UKA and TKA performed during the same hospitalization. Each patient's resurfacing was performed by the same surgical team. Moreover, inpatient care and physical therapy for each patient's respective UKA and TKA were the same. Patient evaluation consisted of chart review, joint registry data, and telephone interviews that focused on patient preference regarding pain, stability, "feel," and ability to climb stairs. The 23 patients studied had an average follow-up period of 81 months (range, 38-153 months). There were 14 men and ten women with an average age of 67 years. Preoperative diagnosis was osteoarthritis in 22 patients and rheumatoid arthritis in one patient. Range of motion (ROM) improved from a preoperative mean of 106 degrees to 123 degrees postoperatively on the UKA side. Mean ROM for the Group A TKAs improved from 104 degrees to 109 degrees, whereas the Group B TKAs remained unchanged at 113 degrees. For patients surveyed in Group A, 31% stated that their UKA knee was their better knee overall, 15% stated that their TKA knee was their better knee overall, and 54% could find no difference.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)