Extent of in vivo sagittal bearing movement and its relationship with tibial posterior slopes in Oxford mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND

The effect of increased tibial slope on the bearing movement and clinical results in mobile-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty has not been well discussed. We aimed to clarify the extent of in vivo sagittal bearing movement and bearing overhang using fluoroscopy and their relationship with the tibial posterior slopes and clinical results.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 40 patients who underwent Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty for anteromedial osteoarthritis or osteonecrosis of the knee. Intraoperative posterior translation and posterior overhang of the bearing were assessed during flexion. The tibial posterior slopes were evaluated before and 2 weeks after surgery, and its increment was recorded. Clinical evaluations were also performed preoperatively and at 2 years postoperatively (maximum flexion angle, Oxford Knee Score). Single linear regression analysis was performed to assess the correlation between the tibial posterior slopes and the posterior translation and the posterior overhang and determine if these could affect the clinical outcomes.

FINDINGS

The average posterior translation was 10.7 ± 4.3 mm, and posterior overhang of the mobile bearing was found in 35% of overall patients. They were associated with increased tibial slope as well as poorer improvement in Oxford Knee Score at 2 years postoperatively.

INTERPRETATION

In Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, mobile bearing can probably move posteriorly beyond the posterior margin of the tibial component during flexion when the tibial posterior slope increases more than the original magnitude. Additionally, the posterior translation and posterior overhang closely correlated with the poorer improvement in Oxford Knee Score at 2 years postoperatively.