COMPARISON OF MUSCLE STRENGTH OF POSTERIOR CRUCIATE-RESTAINED VERSUS CRUCIATE-SACRIFICED TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

One of the most controversial issues in total knee arthroplasty is whe ther to retain or sacrifice the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). Inv estigators have used various methods to evaluate the influence of the PCL after total knee arthroplasty, but muscle strength evaluation has not been reported. The purpose of this study is to compare the long-te rm effects of PCL retention or sacrifice on muscle strength. Isokineti c testings and isometric testings were studied in patients with three different types of prosthesis design: total condylar, low contact stre ss rotating platform (both sacrifice PCL), and low contact stress meni scal bearing (retains PCL). The results showed that in all testing con ditions, the hamstring to quadriceps ratios did not significantly diff er among the three prosthetic designs (P > .05) even after long-term ( 6-13 years) functional adaptation.