Total knee replacement influences both knee and hip joint kinematics during stair climbing.

A gait analysis system was used to evaluate the kinematics of the hip and knee during stair ascending and descending after operation with total knee replacement. Patients with 5 degrees varus/valgus alignment or less were selected randomly to receive either a flat or a concave tibial component with retention of the posterior cruciate ligament. Patients who had more than 5 degrees varus/valgus alignment and/or an extension defect of 10 degrees or more were selected randomly to receive the concave or posterior-stabilized tibial component with resection of the posterior cruciate ligament. Twenty patients and 17 controls were studied 1-2 years after the operation. Patients had abnormal kinematics during stair ascending and descend-ing. Both knee extension and flexion were reduced. Hip extension tended to decrease, and decreased hip extension moment was noted.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes