Prediction of range of motion 2 years after mobile‐bearing total knee arthroplasty: PCL‐retaining versus PCL‐sacrificing

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the changes in the range of motion (ROM) with time postoperatively. METHOD: The pre- and intraoperative ROM was compared with the ROM 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively to clarify the effects of posterior cruciate ligament-retaining (PCLR) and posterior cruciate ligament-sacrificing (PCLS) prostheses on the ROM. The changes in the ROM in PCLR (n = 57) and PCLS (n = 51) mobile-bearing total knee arthroplasties for osteoarthritis patients for whom complete data were available were examined. RESULTS: No significant difference was seen between the two prostheses at any time point. Nevertheless, the ROM 24 months after PCLR and PCLS prostheses could be predicted statistically from the ROM after 6 and 3 months, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed the effects of retention of the PCL and the degree of its functional recovery on postoperative ROM for the two prostheses.