The relationship between pre- and postoperative range of motion utilizing three cruciate-retaining total knee prostheses.

We prospectively examined the relationship between pre- and postoperative range of motion utilizing three cruciate retaining knees with various mechanical flexion potentials, i.e., two at about 130 degrees -135 degrees (one with posterior lip and the other without) and the third at about 140 degrees -145 degrees . All groups demonstrated mean flexion and range of motion of 116 degrees -122 degrees at one year. Combining data from the three cohorts, patients with the following preoperative flexion values achieved the indicated mean changes (increases) in flexion at one year: < 90 degrees flexion (Delta 23.6 degrees ), 91 degrees -105 degrees flexion (Delta 19.3 degrees ), and > 105 degrees flexion (Delta 1.8 degrees )). Postoperative improvement was inversely related to preoperative flexion. The high flex knee yielded the best improvement in range of motion (9.7 degrees increase) in the highest flex preoperative group compared to that of the other knees (-7.4 degrees to 2.9 degrees ). Hence, a high flex knee design seems to be important in high preoperative range of motion patients obtaining an increase in the postoperative range of motion rather than possible regression.