Effects of a Medial Knee Unloading Implant on Tibiofemoral Joint Mechanics During Walking

The Atlas™ unicompartmental knee system is a second-generation extra-articular unloading implant for patients with mild to moderate medial knee osteoarthritis. The technology acts to reduce a portion of the weight-bearing load exerted on the medial knee during physical activity thereby, reducing the mechanical stress imposed on a degenerative joint. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of the Atlas™ on tibiofemoral joint mechanics during walking. A computer-aided design assembly of the Atlas™ was virtually implanted on the medial aspect of a previously validated finite element tibiofemoral joint model. Data for knee joint forces and moments from an anthropometrically matched male were applied to the model to quasi-statically simulate the stance phase of gait. Predictions of tibiofemoral joint mechanics were computed pre- and post-virtual implantation of the Atlas™. Compressive force in the medial tibiofemoral compartment was reduced by a mean of 53%, resulting in the decrement of mean cartilage-cartilage and cartilage-meniscus von Mises stress by 31% and 32%, respectively. The Atlas™ was not predicted to transfer net loading to the lateral compartment. The tibiofemoral joint model exhibited less internal-external rotation and anterior-posterior translation post-Atlas™, indicating a change in the kinematic environment of the knee. From a biomechanical perspective, extra-articular joint unloading may serve as a treatment option for patients recalcitrant to conservative care. Evaluation of mechanical changes in the tibiofemoral joint demonstrate the potential treatment mechanism of the Atlas™, in accordance with the available clinical data. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2149-2156, 2019.