Can prosthesis design of total knee arthroplasty affect balance?

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate whether posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) retaining or substituting in total knee arthroplasty affect the balance. Patients and methods: Between March 2010 and April 2014, a total of 41 patients who underwent total knee arthroplasty in our clinic were included in the study. A PCL-substitution prosthesis was used in 21 patients (group 1) and a PCL-retaining prosthesis was used in 20 patients (group 2). Balance and fall risk were evaluated using a balance assessment device. The patients were examined by the Berg Functional Balance Scale. Results: The mean follow-up was 25.6 +/- 9.7 months. There was no statistically significant difference in static or dynamic overall stability, mediolateral stability or fall risk between the two types of prostheses. A significant difference in the dynamic anteroposterior stability index scores was observed between the groups. Conclusion: Our study results show that PCL-substitution prosthesis affects the balance positively in total knee arthroplasty. Therefore, PCL-substitution prosthesis design should be considered for patients who have risk factors for balance disorder, in particular.