Data from: Compromised knee internal rotation in total knee arthroplasty patients during stair climbing

Due to the significant role of rotational properties for normal knee
function, this study aimed to investigate transverse plane kinematics and
kinetics in total knee arthroplasty and unicondylar knee arthroplasty
patients during activities of daily living compared to a healthy control
group, including stair ascent and descent. The study participants
consisted of a total knee arthroplasty group including posterior cruciate
retaining and posterior stabilized designs as well as a unicondylar knee
arthroplasty group and a healthy control group. Three-dimensional
kinematics and kinetics were captured using a Vicon system and two Kistler
force plates embedded in the floor and another two in a staircase. Inverse
dynamics of the lower limbs was computed in Anybody™ Modeling System.
Transverse plane joint angles and joint moments were analyzed utilizing
the statistical non-parametric mapping approach, considering the entire
curve shape for statistical analysis. The patients with total knee
arthroplasty exhibited significantly reduced knee internal rotation of the
operated knee compared to the control group and the patients’ unimpaired
limb, especially during the stair climbing tasks. Both unicondylar and
total knee arthroplasty patients were found to have similar reduced
internal rotation motion time series in stair descent. In conclusion,
potential kinematic and kinetic benefits of unicondylar knee arthroplasty
over total knee arthroplasty could not be proven in the current study.
Aside from the usually mentioned reasons inducing constrained knee
internal rotation in total knee arthroplasty patients, future studies
should investigate to what extent co-contraction may contribute to this
functional impairment in patients after knee arthroplasty surgery.