Short Term Results of Cruciate Retaining TypeMobile Bearing Total Knee Arthroplasty: Using a Navigation System

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We wanted to report the minimum 3 year follow-up clinical results of the patients who underwent navigation guided cruciate retaining mobile bearing total knee arthroplasty and to evaluate the radiological results for a consecutive series of patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cruciate retaining mobile bearing total knee arthroplasties with using a navigation system were performed for 54 knees. The mean patient age was 65 years old (range 51~76 years). The mean follow up period was 44 months (range 36~61 months). The Knee Society Score (KSS) and range of motion (ROM) were evaluated for the preoperative and postoperative clinical assessments. We evaluated the alignment and the position of the implants by using plane radiographs for the radiological assessment, and we investigated the wear and loosening of implants in the same manner at the last follow-up exam. RESULTS: The knee score improved from 38 to 91 (p=0.001) and the functional score improved from 46 to 92 (p=0.001). The mean range of motion was also improved postoperatively. The radiological results of the coronal axis alignment of the lower extremity and the implant position were satisfactory in 98% of the cases. Periprostheic osteolysis occurred in 4 cases, but there were no clinically significant osteolysis seen on the follow-up radiographs. CONCLUSION: Soft tissue balancing and the accuracy of implantation are necessary when performing cruciate retaining mobile bearing total knee arthroplasty. For this type of implant, navigation is useful tool to perform total knee arthorplasty for insuring the accuracy of the surgical procedure.