Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 22, 2026
In Vitro Application of a Wireless Sensor in Flexion-Extension Gap Balance of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Published on: May 5, 2023
Patient-specific and intra-operatively modifiable factors assessed by computer navigation predict maximal knee
Frank Lampe1,2, Carlos J Marques3, Franziska Fiedler4
1Research Center of the Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Department, Schoen Klinik Hamburg Eilbek, Dehnhaide 120, 22081, Hamburg, Germany.
Purpose:
There are multiple factors affecting maximal knee flexion (MKF) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of the study was to investigate whether patient-specific factors (PSF) and surgically modifiable factors (SMF), measured by means of a computer-assisted navigation system, can predict the MKF after TKA.
Methods:
Data from 99 patients collected during a randomized clinical trial were used for this secondary data analysis. The MKF of the patients was measured preoperatively and 1-year post-surgery. Multiple regression analyses were performed to investigate which combination of variables would be the best to predict the 1-year MKF.
Results:
When considering SMF alone, the combination of three factors significantly predicted the 1-year MKF (p = 0.001), explaining 22 % of its variation. When considering only PSF, the combination of pre-op MKF and BMI significantly predicted the 1-year MKF (p < 0.001), explaining 23 % of its variation. When considering both groups of potential predictors simultaneously, the combination of five SMF with two PSF significantly predicted the 1-year MKF (p = 0.001), explaining 32 % of its variation.
Conclusions:
Computer navigation variables alone could explain 22 % of the variance in the 1-year MKF. The larger proportion (32 %) of the 1-year MKF variation could be explained with a combination of SMF and PSF. The results of studies in this area could be used to identify patients at risk of poor outcomes.
Level Of Evidence:
Level II, Prognostic study.
