Dynamic in-vivo tibio-femoral and bearing motions in mobile bearing knee arthroplasty

To determine the tibio-femoral and bearing motions in well functioning mobile bearing total knee arthroplasties, a quantitative analysis by means of fluoroscopy was carried out during stair ascending, chair rising-sitting and step up-down motor tasks. Femoral and tibial component positions were obtained using a CAD-model-based shape matching technique. Direct measurement of mobile bearing motion was carried out by tracking previously inserted tantalum beads. A relatively small motion of the bearing was observed. The advantage of self-alignment claimed for the mobile bearing arthroplasty seems to be confirmed by subject-specific ranges of motion exhibited by these patients. It has also been demonstrated that these total knee arthroplasties, which are not fully conforming in flexion, provide little constraint to antero-posterior motion, leading to a kinematic pattern very similar to an ACL deficient knee.