Objective:

Effect of the tibial posterior slope on knee scores and knee range of motion in knees that were performed PCL retaining total knee arthroplasty with fixed bearing.

Material and methods:

41 gonarthrosis diagnosed knee have been performed PCL retaining total knee arthroplasty with fixed bearing. Knee scoring was performed and range of motion was measured before surgery. Patients were re-evaluated with knee scores and knee range of motion. Patients divided into two groups. First group is 18 patients with posterior tibial slope 5º and greater than 5º, second group is 23 patients with posterior tibial slope less than5º. Both groups were evaluated statistically.

Results:

In the group with posterior tibial slope less than 5º mean preoperative flexion was measured 100.3º±10.59, in the group with posterior tibial slope 5º and greater mean preoperative flexion was measured 98.5º±7.31. At the last postoperative control in the group with posterior tibial slope less than5º the mean flexion was measured 111.8º±12.23. In the group with posterior tibial slope 5º and greater the mean flexion was measured 109º ±11.48 at the last postoperative control. Preoperativly in the group with posterior tibial slope less than5º the mean knee score was 35.9±6.63, the mean functional knee score was 23.7±16.18. In the postoperative last control the mean knee score was 83.9±8.16, mean functional knee score was 82.4±12.51. In the group with posterior tibial slope 5º and greater the mean knee score was 42.2±12.73, the mean functional knee score was 23.6±17.97 preoperatively. In the postoperative last control the mean knee score was 83±9.08, the mean knee functional score was 84.1±16.29 for group with posterior tibial slope 5º and greater.

Conclusion:

The pre operative and post operative knee scores in both groups were found to be statisticaly significantly different. In terms of knee motion there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. Statistically significant relationship was not found between range of motion of the knee with the tibial slope. Knee scores had a significant increase after surgery, but it was determined independently from tibial slope.

Keywords: Knee prosthesis, tibia, knee