Knee Surg Relat Res.  2013 Mar;25(1):25-29. 10.5792/ksrr.2013.25.1.25.

Clinical Results Associated with Changes of Posterior Tibial Slope in Total Knee Arthroplasty

• Seo SS
• Kim CW
• Kim JH
• Min YK

• KMID: 2223322
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5792/ksrr.2013.25.1.25

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this retrospective study is to investigate the effect of posterior tibial slope (PTS) on clinical results in total knee replacement arthroplasty (TKA).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We analyzed 801 knees in 768 patients who underwent TKA using a cruciate-retaining prosthesis for osteoarthritis from July 2003 to July 2009. PTS was measured on simple X-ray films and patients were divided into 5 groups, according to the change in PTS that was calculated by subtracting the preoperative from the postoperative PTS: group 1, >3degrees; group 2, 3degrees to 1degrees; group 3, 1degrees to -1degrees; group 4, -1degrees to -3degrees; and group 5, <-3degrees. We analyzed the correlations between the change in PTS and clinical results, such as Knee Society knee score, Knee Society functional score, Feller patella score, Kujala score, visual analog scale score, range of motion, and complications.
RESULTS
There was no statistically significant intergroup difference; however, Feller patella score and Kujala score were significantly different in groups 2 and 3. There were no complications, such as progressive loosening of implants, fractures of polyethylene inserts and wears.
CONCLUSIONS
Clinically meaningful improvement was observed in all patients after TKA. Groups 2 and 3 (3degrees to -1degrees) showed significant improvement compared to the other groups.

Keyword

Total knee replacement; Arthroplasty; Knee; Posterior tibial slope

MeSH Terms

Arthroplasty
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee
Humans
Knee
Osteoarthritis
Patella
Polyethylene
Prostheses and Implants
Range of Motion, Articular
Retrospective Studies
X-Ray Film
Polyethylene