Importance of Full Flexion After Total Knee Replacement in Muslims’ Daily Lifestyle

Abstract

Previous studies show that total knee replacement (TKR) patients have difficulty performing certain tasks involving deep knee flexion which are part of activities of daily living (ADL). Muslims’ lifestyles heavily depend on the ability to fully flex the knee, and many daily activities, such as praying, social encounters (attending the Sheikh’s majlis), dining or even using the hole bathroom, are carried out on the ground. The LPS Flex implant has been designed to accommodate this by giving up to 165 degrees of flexion. One-thousand and thirty-two (1032) TKRs were performed on patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis using the LPS Flex mobile bearing implant over a five year period with a minimum of 1 year post-operative follow up. The results were then compared to a series obtained from the Zimmer Feedback database which is managed independently by the Audit and Research Office, Department of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Dundee, Dundee, Scotland, United Kingdom. 44% of pre-op cases had full flexion as per our set criteria. There were no apparent differences in patello-femoral pain levels, complications or Knee Society score despite the fact that our patients had, on average, an increase in maximum flexion along with an increase in functional ability. The knee score failed to assess this improved functionality of patients who had full flexion; a new diagnostic method is therefore needed. The results indicate that the implant allows patients to maintain a high degree of flexion and function post-operatively, with few complications.