Different squatting positions after total knee arthroplasty: A retrospective study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) significantly improves quality of life and reduces pain.
• High-flexion activities like squatting are crucial for daily function post-TKA.
• Assessing squatting ability is vital for patient outcomes after TKA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel classification system for squatting positions after TKA.
• To evaluate the different squatting positions adopted by patients post-primary TKA.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 154 video recordings of squatting motions in TKA patients (May 2018 - October 2019).
• Patients included 119 women and 35 men, with a mean age of 61.4 years at surgery.
• Analysis of hip flexion, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion angles at the squatting nadir.

Main Results:

• Squatting motions were classified into three types: half squat, parallel squat, and deep squat.
• Significant differences in hip flexion, knee flexion, and ankle dorsiflexion angles were observed across the three groups (P < 0.001).
• Deep squat group exhibited mean knee flexion of 132.5°, while parallel squat group showed 116.5°.

Conclusions:

• Deep squat positions demonstrate the greatest hip, knee, and ankle flexion post-TKA.
• Enhanced squatting ability is linked to significantly improved postoperative patient satisfaction.
• The proposed classification provides a practical method for assessing TKA patient squatting function.