Intraoperative sensor technology quantifies inter-prosthesis pressure for predicting lower limb alignment after Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty

Purpose: The aim of this study is to quantify inter-prosthetic pressures at different knee angles in Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (OUKA) and its correlation with postoperative lower limb alignment. Methods: This study included 101 patients (122 knees) who underwent OUKA from March 2022 to July 2022. The previously designed matrix flexible force sensor was used to measure the inter-prosthesis pressure of different knee joint angles during the UKA operation, and the force variation trend and gap balance difference were obtained. The correlation between inter-prosthesis pressure and postoperative lower limb alignment index including hip-knee-ankle angle (HKAA) and posterior tibial slope (PTS) was analyzed. The effect of PTS change (ΔPTS) on the inter-prosthesis pressure and the range of motion (ROM) of the knee joint was analyzed. Radiographic and short-term clinical outcomes of included patients were assessed. Results: The inter-prosthesis pressure of the different knee joint angles during the operation was not consistent. The mean inter-prosthesis pressure and gap balance difference were 73.68.28 ± 41.65N and 36.48 ± 20.58N. The inter-prosthesis pressure at 0° and 20° was positively correlated with postoperative HKAA (p < 0.001). ΔPTS was positively correlated with the pressure at the end of knee extension and negatively correlated with the pressure at the end of knee flexion (p < 0.001). The HKAA, ROM, degree of fixed knee flexion deformity, and knee society score of the included patients were significantly improved compared with those before the operation (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The inter-prosthesis pressure measured at the knee extension position can predict postoperative HKAA to some degree. Changes in PTS will affect the inter-prosthesis pressure at the end of flexion and end of knee extension, but this change is not related to the range of motion of the knee joint.