A recent meta-analysis study sought to compare the effect of Posterior Condylar Offset (PCO) changes on knee joint function following TKR. Its findings suggest that PCO can have a major effect on the patient’s knee movement post operation.

The study showed some patients have more flexibility than others following their knee replacements. What became clear is that there were better recoveries and joint movement in patients with a posterior condyle offset of between 0 mm and 2 mm. A failure to reproduce this normal pattern means that it is possible for the rear of the tibial insert to impinge into the rear of the femur when the knee is in maximum flexion, such as when squatting, for example. Smaller components can help in reducing the possibility of increasing the PCO and also mean that less prosthetic material becomes necessary to fill the flexion space.

In conclusion, the authors noted “the close relationship between knee joint function and postoperative PCO changes in TKR patients”. This goes some way to suggest that PCO should be a consideration for surgeons in selecting the design and size of the femoral component.