Effect of tibial slope or posterior cruciate ligament release on knee kinematics

An experimental study using fresh human cadaver knees was designed to evaluate the effect of partial posterior cruciate ligament release or posterior tibial slope on knee kinematics after total knee arthroplasty. Varus and valgus laxity, rotational laxity, anteroposterior laxity, femoral rollback, and maximum flexion angle were evaluated in a normal knee, an ideal total knee arthroplasty, and a total knee arthroplasty in which the ligaments were made to be too tight in flexion. The total knee arthroplasty specimens then were subjected to either partial posterior cruciate ligament release or increased posterior tibial slope, and the tests were repeated. Posterior tibial slope increased varus and valgus laxity, anteroposterior laxity, and rotational laxity in the knee that had flexion tightness. Posterior cruciate ligament release corrected only anteroposterior tightness, and had no effect on the abnormal collateral ligament tightness. Increased posterior tibial slope significantly improved varus and valgus laxity and rotational laxity in the knee that was tight in flexion more than with release of the posterior cruciate ligament. Therefore increasing posterior tibial slope is preferable for a knee that is tight in flexion during total knee arthroplasty.