Effect of Posterior Tibial Slope on Flexion and Anterior-Posterior Tibial Translation in Posterior Cruciate-Retaining Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Reduced posterior tibial slope (PTS) and posterior tibiofemoral translation (PTFT) in posterior cruciate-retaining (PCR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may result in suboptimal flexion. We evaluated the relationship between PTS, PTFT, and total knee flexion after PCR TKA in a cadaveric model. We performed a balanced PCR TKA using 9 transfemoral cadaver specimens and changed postoperative PTS in 1° increments. We measured maximal flexion and relative PTFT at maximal flexion. We determined significant changes in flexion and PTFT as a function of PTS. Findings showed an average increase in flexion of 2.3° and average PTFT increase of 1mm per degree of PTS increase when increasing PTS from 1° to 4° (P<.05). Small initial increases in PTS appear to significantly increase knee flexion and PTFT.

Keywords: maximum flexion; posterior tibial slope; posterior tibial translation; primary knee arthroplasty; tibiofemoral translation; total knee replacement.