The effect of electromagnetic navigation in total knee arthroplasty on knee kinematics during functional activities using flexible electrogoniometry.
BACKGROUND
Navigated total knee arthroplasty has been shown to increase accuracy in post operative implant alignment. By contrast navigated total knee arthroplasty has not shown significant functional improvements to date, when compared with conventional surgery using subjective clinical questionnaire scores. The aim of this study was to compare the knee joint kinematics measured during functional activities using electrogoniometry 12 months after total knee arthroplasty in randomised navigated and conventional total knee arthroplasty groups.


METHODS
The study design was a double blinded, randomised, prospective, controlled trial. The patients were randomised into 2 surgical groups (n=102 navigated group, n=98 conventional group; mean age navigated=67, conventional=67). Flexible electrogoniometry was used to measure patient's knee kinematics with respect to time during 12 functional activities.


RESULTS
No significant difference was found in terms of the maximum, minimum and excursion knee joint angle during any of the functional activities. However there was a statistically significant improvement in the level and slope gait cycle at the pre swing phase in the navigated group.


CONCLUSIONS
There were minimal functional improvements in the navigated total knee arthroplasty group 12 months after surgery. However, these are unlikely to have a significant effect on daily activity for the navigated group.
Bioengineering Unit, University of Strathclyde, Wolfson Centre, 106 Rottenrow, Glasgow, United Kingdom. j.r.smith@strath.ac.uk
Julie R
JR
Smith
Philip J
PJ
Rowe
Mark
M
Blyth
Bryn
B
Jones
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D053587:Arthrometry, Articular; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative / Q000379:methods*; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome