Does Malrotation of the Tibial and Femoral Components Compromise Function in Kinematically Aligned Total Knee Arthroplasty?

Abstract

Internal and external malrotation of the femoral and tibial components is associated with poor function after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We determined the degree of malrotation for both components in kinematically aligned TKA and whether this malrotation compromised function. Seventy-one patients (mean age 68 years) were followed after TKA. Malrotation was measured. Simple regression determined the association between malrotation and function. Even though the range of malrotation of the tibial component can be greater than that of the femoral component, the malrotation of the femoral and tibial components bounded by the ranges reported in this study is compatible with a well-functioning TKA.