Influence of Patient and Surgical Variability on Bone Adaptation of the Proximal Tibia in Total Knee Replacements

The main aim of this study is to enhance the understanding of the influence of patient and surgical variability on changes in the bone mineral density (BMD) under the tibial component of a total knee replacement (TKR). Changes in the BMD will be measured by obtaining DEXA scans before surgery and then at three time points (3 months, 6 months, and 12 months) after surgery. Participants will also be required to undergo gait analysis at the same time points to measure the joint contact forces at the knee joint. Knee joint and lower limb alignment will also be assessed before and after surgery and measured from CT scans. Finally, accuracy of the surgical cut and bone quality will be analysed from high resolution images of the excised tibial plateaus from the TKR surgery.

The project is looking at factors that may influence changes in the tibial bone after a total knee replacement surgery that could lead to aseptic loosening of the tibial component.