Mobility and Stability of the Intact and Replaced Knee

Abstract

Having demonstrated in Chapter 2 that a fully conforming mobile bearing can minimise polyethylene wear, in this chapter we show that a mobile bearing prosthesis, unconstrained in the sagittal plane, can restore natural mobility and stability. For surgeon readers who are less interested in the theoretical background, it might be advisable to go straight to Chapter 4, Indications, or to start by reading the final section of this chapter, The Loaded Prosthetic Knee. If that proves interesting, the surgeon might attempt The Unloaded Prosthetic Knee. For the more research minded surgeon or engineer, it seems more logical to start with the Unloaded Natural Knee (the longest section of the chapter) and to read from there. The chapter may also be of interest to those surgeons embarking on the use of a bi-cruciate retaining total knee replacement.