ISSN: 1546-962X
CODEN: JAIOAD
Published Online: 11 February 2011
Page Count: 9

Comparison of Mobile Bearing and Fixed Bearing Total Knee Arthroplasty Outcomes: A Review of the Literature

Sykes, Joshua
MD, Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics, Univ. of Tennessee, Memphis, TN

Snearly, Christine
MS, InMotion Orthopaedic Research Center, Memphis, TN

Benner, Rodney
MD, Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics, Univ. of Tennessee, Memphis, TN

Bernard, Matthew
MD, Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics, Univ. of Tennessee, Memphis, TN

Mihalko, William M.
MD, Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics, Univ. of Tennessee and InMotion Orthopaedic Research Center, Memphis, TN

(Received 29 June 2010; accepted 12 January 2011)

Abstract

To better compare the outcomes between fixed bearing (FB) and mobile bearing (MB) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) a review of the literature was carried out to determine any published differences. An extensive literature search utilizing PubMed was carried out to identify all publications concerning MB and FB TKA. Once studies were identified from set inclusion criteria the groups (27 studies in total) were categorically compared for differences in instability, persistent pain, loosening, radiolucencies, knee society pain and function scores as well as range of motion (ROM). ROM comparisons favored MB (P=0.03, eight studies) statistically but not clinically (3° ROM difference), and the incidence of tibial radiolucent lines improved with the use of MB TKA (P=0.03, eight studies) while all other categories were found not to be significantly different (p values of 0.1–0.72). This up to date comparison of the literature found MB and FB TKA outcomes to be comparable.

Keywords:
knee, arthroplasty, mobile bearing, outcomes

Paper ID: JAI103168
DOI: 10.1520/JAI103168
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