The impact of a total knee arthroplasty on jaw movements, upper body posture, plantar pressure distribution, and postural control.

: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) on linked cranial and caudal structures. : Thirty-five (14f/21m) subjects participated in this study: 15 subjects (9f, 6m) pre- and post- TKA and a control group of 20 subjects (5f, 15m). The measurements included: jaw condyle position and movement, back scan, plantar pressure distribution, and body sway. : There were no significant differences in electronic position analysis of the jaw; however, the protrusion of the TKA group improved ( = 0.001). The test group had a more anteriorly inclined thoracic spine and a less pronounced lumbar lordosis. Before and after surgery, the body sway in the test group was larger. : The TKA affected most prominently the static mechanisms of the postural control and the spine position. The trajectories of the mandible during protrusion also changed slightly.