Posterior sliding of the femur during stair ascending and descending in a high-flex posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract

This study investigated the anteroposterior stability of the femur during stair motions. We examined 18 knees with a clinically successful high-flexion posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty to evaluate the in vivo kinematics of stair ascending and descending using two- to three-dimensional registration. Posterior sliding of the femur was observed while shifting weight to the leg during stair ascending and descending in almost all knees. Anterior tibial post impingement was observed in 10 knees when the knee was extended in stair ascending, whereas in stair descending, the impingement was observed in 14 knees when posterior sliding of the femur occurred. The impingement contributed to the stabilization of the knee during stair motion; however, impingement may result in additional polyethylene wear and tibial post failure.