Articulated prosthetic knee and method for implanting same

摘要

An articulated knee prosthesis in which a femoral implant has a condyle section and a femoral stem that is cemented into the femur. A tibial implant carries a tibial plateau section on which is mounted a stop plate for engaging the condyle section and arresting movement of the knee beyond its fully extended position. The tibial implant includes a tibial stem that is cemented into the tibia. A pivotal connection between the two implants is positioned posteriorly of the implant and at an elevation above a lowermost point of the condyle section (when the implants are fully extended). The pivot axis of the connection and the stems are positioned with respect to each other so that upon the implantation of the implant, the patient's tibia is moved in an anterior direction as compared to the normal anatomical position of the tibia relative to the femur. At least a portion of the hinged connection, which frequently includes the pivot axis, is located posteriorly of portions of the femur proximate the knee joint to maximize the arc through which the knee can be flexed.