Comparative flexion after rotating-platform vs fixed-bearing total knee arthroplasty

A retrospective review of rotating-platform (n = 113) and fixed-bearing (n = 100) total knee arthroplasties at a minimum 2-year follow-up was performed. All patients in both groups in this study had osteoarthritis and underwent surgery by 1 of the 2 senior authors at 1 of 2 institutions. A cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty was implanted with patellar resurfacing in all cases. The only difference between the 2 groups was the design of the tibial bearing and its tibial tray. Through minimization of confounding variables relating to pathology, surgeon, institution, soft-tissue balancing, and type of prosthesis, this study isolates articular design as a variable. We could not demonstrate any significant difference in knee flexion after either fixed-bearing or rotating-platform cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty.