Unit 3: Knee Joint Replacement Flashcards
What is the knee dependent on for stability?
Ligaments
Integrity of the posterior joint capsule
Good musculature
What is the purpose of the ACL?
Resists posterior subluxation of the femur
What is the purpose of the PCL?
Resists anterior subluxation of the femur
What is the purpose of the LCL?
Resists ADDuction of the joint
What is the purpose of the MCL?
Resists ABDuction of the joint
What is the purpose of the posterior capsule?
Resists hyperextension
How are the ACL and PCL named?
According to their anterior and posterior attachments to the tibia, not the femur
What is meant when it is said that the ligaments in the knee move nearly isometrically?
They keep the same length as they move and do not lengthen or shorten
How does the centre of rotation and point of contact between the femur and tibia change as the knee flexes?
The centre of rotation and point of surface contact both move posteriorly
How do the medial and lateral compartments of the tibia plateau differ?
Medial compartment = slightly concave
Lateral compartment = slightly convex
What is the “screw home” mechanism?
Tibia externally rotates 5 degrees in the last 15 degrees of extension because the medial tibial plateau articular surface is longer than the lateral tibial plateau
What is the purpose of the “screw home” mechanism?
“locks” knee decreasing the work performed by the quadriceps while standing
What is the full range of knee flexion?
About 140 degrees
How does the knee move from flexion to extension?
Combination of rolling and sliding motion
What limits the rolling distance to allow the knee to flex fully without rolling up against the posterior capsule?
Cruciate ligaments
Approximately what magnitude of forces go through the knee joint during normal daily activities?
2-6X body weight
What causes the compressive joint force in the knee?
Action of the quadriceps acting via the patellar ligament
What combines to form the total joint reaction force of 4 BW in the knee joint?
Patellar force of 3 BW + Ground Reaction force of 1 BW
What are the other components other than the vertical component of ground reaction force?
Fore-aft GRF = 20% BW
Medial horizontal component = 5% BW
How does the knee combat low magnitude sideways medial reaction forces?
Quads acting via the patellar tendon pull the joint together hard enough to keep both condylar surfaces in contact with the tibial plateau
How does the knee combat high magnitude sideways medial reaction forces?
Lateral collateral ligament balances the turning moment
What implications do the high loads that act on the medial compartment of the knee have on joint replacement design?
Tibial component needs to be able to transfer igh medial compartment loads on its upper surface to the underlying bone without causing high compressive stresses
What are most commercially available knee replacements made of?
Femoral component = cobalt chrome
Tibial component = HDP
What problems were seen when trying titanium components instead of cobalt chromium?
Metal wear particles were taken up by the synovial membrane causing blackening
What are the minimum functional kinematic requirements of a knee replacement?
Fully extend to 180⁰
Stand without quad effort
Flex to 90⁰
Allow slight axial rotation to maintain natural ligament tension in flex/ext
How is it ensured that the two bearing surfces are cut parallel in a knee replacement?
Use a radiograph of the feur and draw a line from the centre of the femoral head to the knee centre
In knee replacement, why must the posterior capsule be dissected off the back of the femur?
To ensure that the replacement knee can fully extend
How are ligaments balanced in knee replacement surgery?
Lengthened tightened ligaments to match slack ones
What is meant by the term ‘constraint’?
Relationship between tibial and femoral bearing surface geometries - more constrained = less freedom of movement to slide and rotate in different directions
What type of prosthesis is used if there are no ligaments intact?
Hinged prosthesis
What are the downsides of a hinged prosthesis?
Only one axis of rotation - under lateral and log axis rotation transmits high shear forces to implant-cement and comeent-bone interfaces
Which ligament is usually either destroyed or of no mechanical value in OA?
ACL