Confidence in Strength
A very congruent, stable articulating surface allows for the quadriceps muscles to operate much more efficiently, reducing hamstrings co-activation and the demands on the extensor mechanism, making patients effectively stronger as a result of an intrinsically stable knee joint [1,3,4,7,8].
GAIT LABORATORY STUDY:
Mitchell K, Banks S, Rawlins J, Wood SA, Hodge WA
Strength of Intrinsically Stable TKA During Stair-Climbing
A single-surgeon series of 10 patients with a PCL-retaining 3DKnee implant and a healthy contra-lateral knee were studied in the gait laboratory using motion capture, force platforms and electromyography during a standardized step-over task to assess knee strength [8]. Peak knee flexion moment was compared between the operated and healthy knees as a measure of strength. The operated knees were 84% of normal strength, equivalent to the best results in the literature. Activation of the medial hamstrings was equivalent in both knees, and lateral hamstrings activation was significantly lower in the operated knees.
