Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
Lower Limb Biomechanical Analysis of Healthy Participants
Published on: April 15, 2020
Gait analysis and electromyography in fixed- and mobile-bearing total knee replacement: a prospective, comparative
Carsten O Tibesku1, Kiriakos Daniilidis, Adrian Skwara
1Sporthopaedicum Straubing, Bahnhofplatz 8, 94315, Straubing, Germany. carsten@tibesku.de
Purpose:
The theoretical superiority of mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) has not yet been proven in clinical studies. The aim of the current study was to compare and to analyse in a patient population that had received either a fixed or a mobile TKA differences in gait analysis electromyography and clinical scores.
Methods:
In a prospective, randomized, patient- and observer-blinded clinical study, 33 patients with primary osteoarthritis of the knee were included. All patients received a Genesis II total knee replacement. Sixteen patients received a mobile and 17 a fixed-bearing cruciate retaining Genesis II TKA. Clinical and quality-of-life scores, electromyography and gait analysis were applied preoperatively and postoperatively with a follow-up of 24 months.
Results:
In both groups, improvements from pre- to postoperative were detected. whereas the results of gait analysis and electromyography did not show any differences. The results from the clinical and the quality-of-life scores improved from pre- to postoperative, while the Knee Society Score showed a superiority of the mobile-bearing group (mean 159 ± 28) over the fixed-bearing group (mean 134 ± 41).
Conclusion:
No functional advantage of mobile over fixed-bearing TKA was detected, although the mobile-bearing group had better clinical results for which a reason could not be found. These results only apply to cruciate retaining mobile-bearing TKA with a bearing which allows both rotation and anteroposterior translation.
