scholarly journals The use of bone turnover markers for monitoring the treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal females undergoing total knee arthroplasty: a prospective randomized study

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Ma ◽  
Mengjun Wu ◽  
Yongwei Li ◽  
Jialin Wang ◽  
Pei Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Bone Density ◽  
Bone Turnover ◽  
Reference Interval ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Type I ◽  
Treatment Of Osteoporosis ◽  
Monitoring Group ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Osteoporosis (OP) and osteoarthritis (OA) commonly coexist in postmenopausal females. The decrease in bone density and increase in bone resorption in postmenopausal females with OP may consequently affect the surgical outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, clinicians often ignore monitoring the treatment of OP in the perioperative management of TKA. Bone turnover marker (BTM) can timely and accurately reflect bone metabolism to monitor the treatment of OP. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of BTM monitoring to guide the treatment of OP in postmenopausal females undergoing TKA. Methods Postmenopausal females with OP who underwent primary unilateral TKA were randomly divided into two groups (monitoring group and control group), given oral medication (alendronate, calcitriol, and calcium), and followed for 1 year. In the monitoring group, serum BTMs (C-telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), N-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), and 25(OH)D) were assessed preoperatively and repeated postoperatively; alendronate was withdrawn when CTX-I and PINP reached the reference interval; and calcitriol and calcium were withdrawn when 25(OH)D reached the reference interval. In the control group, oral medication was implemented for a uniform duration of 3 months. During the 1-year follow-up, the mean maximum total point motion (MTPM) of the tibial component, bone mineral density (BMD), visual analog scale (VAS) score, range of motion, and Oxford Knee Score (OKS) score were obtained. Results In the monitoring group, BTM monitoring prolonged the medication duration, but did not cause more adverse reactions than in the control group. The mean MTPM values at 6 m and 12 m in the monitoring group were lower than those in the control group, and the BMD at 12 m in the monitoring group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Patients in the monitoring group had lower VAS scores at 6 m and higher OKS scores at 6 m and 12 m than those in the control group. Conclusion In postmenopausal females with osteoporosis undergoing primary TKA, the application of BTM monitoring to guide the treatment of osteoporosis can enhance bone density, maintain prosthesis stability, and improve surgical outcome. Trial registration ChiCTR ChiCTR-INR-17010495. Registered on 22 January 2017

scholarly journals Effects of Phased Rehabilitation Programs after Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Chao ◽  
Mingzhu Lee ◽  
Qi Gong ◽  
Xuehua Bai ◽  
Peilei Yang
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Postoperative Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Rehabilitation Programs ◽  
Sf 36 ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
The Mean

This multi-center, single-blinded, randomized controlled study assessed the efficacy of phased exercise rehabilitation programs in patients who underwent a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and investigated suitable exercise types, intensities, and frequencies for patients undergoing postoperative rehabilitation. Between January and March 2018, 494 patients who had undergone TKA were treated at two medical centers. Patients were randomized and allocated to the rehabilitation group (n=330) or the control group (n=164; treated with postoperative care). The 100-mm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), range of motion, and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) scores were assessed and compared between the two groups. The average WOMAC score was 84.40±15.20 in the rehabilitation group and 108.30±3.90 in the control group (p=0.009). The mean VAS score was 2.54±0.16 in the rehabilitation group and 2.87±0.31 in the control group (p=0.024). Furthermore, the range of motion was 125.02±6.20 in the rehabilitation group and 116.40±1.40 in the control group (p=0.017). The mean SF-36 score was 105.40±21.50 in the rehabilitation group and 83.70±5.01 in the control group (p=0.043). This study suggests that the phase rehabilitation program could be more effective at improving pain, knee function, and quality of life than condition postoperative care after TKA.

scholarly journals A Kinesio Taping Method Applied in the Treatment of Postsurgical Knee Swelling after Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (13) ◽  
pp. 2992
Author(s):  
Jaromir Jarecki ◽  
Magdalena Sobiech ◽  
Karolina Turżańska ◽  
Agnieszka Tomczyk-Warunek ◽  
Mirosław Jabłoński
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Subcutaneous Tissue ◽  
Flexion Angle ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Knee Flexion Angle ◽  
Kinesio Taping ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
The Mean

Background The knee is one of the joints in the human body that is most susceptible of osteoarthritis (OA). In the case of advanced-stage OA, total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a treatment of choice. One modern physiotherapeutic method to support the treatment in the early postsurgical period is Kinesio Taping (KT). The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of KT on swollen subcutaneous tissue after TKA. Materials and methods. The studied group consisted of 23 patients who had received TKA. The mean BMI was 30.60 ± 4.91, and KT was applied between the 3rd and 8th day of the early postoperative period. The control group was constituted by 22 patients who had received TKA. The mean BMI was 30.41 ± 6.00, and KT was not applied. On the 3rd and 8th day after TKA, in all patients, the swelling of the shin, range of motions (ROM), and pain were measured using ultrasound, a goniometer, and a VAS scale, respectively. Results. In the KT group, the lateral measurement at the top of the head of the fibula significantly decreased between the 3rd and 8th day (11.47 ± 0.76 vs. 9.76 ± 0.77; p = 0.0004). The knee flexion angle on day 3 was statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (48.61 ± 3.08 vs. 72.74 ± 3.92; p = 0.00004). The evaluation results for severity of pain using the VAS scale on day 3 were statistically significantly higher than those on day 8 (5.74 ± 0.25 vs. 4.30 ± 0.25; p = 0.00006). In the group of patients to whom KT was not applied, the lateral measurement at the top of the head of the fibula on day 3 was not statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (10.323 ± 0.828 vs. 10.273 ± 0.995; p = 0.9227). The knee flexion angle in the group that did not receive KT on day 3 was statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (45.182 ± 3.654 vs. 59.909 ± 4.817; p = 0.0006). The severity of pain evaluated using the VAS scale on day 3 was statistically significantly different from that on day 8 (6.227 ± 0.146 vs. 4.864 ± 0.190; p = 0.0001). Conclusions. KT is an effective method for improving subcutaneous drainage and decreasing subcutaneous tissue. However, KT does not affect postoperative pain and ROM.

scholarly journals FRI0418 SELECTIVE PATELLAR RESURFACING IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY FOR THE OSTEOARTHRITIC KNEE: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 807.3-807
Author(s):  
I. Moriyama
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Clinical Outcome ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Patellofemoral Joint ◽  
Osteoarthritis Of The Knee ◽  
Patellar Resurfacing ◽  
Criterion A ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
The Mean

Background:No widely accepted view or criteria currently exist concerning whether or not patellar replacement (resurfacing) should accompany total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis of the knee.1)2)3)Objectives:We recently devised our own criteria for application of patellar replacement and performed selective patellar replacement in accordance with this set of criteria. The clinical outcome was analyzed.Methods:The study involved 1150 knees on which total knee arthroplasty was performed between 2005 and 2019 because of osteoarthritis of the knee. The mean age at operation was 73, and the mean postoperative follow-up period was 91 months. Our criteria for application of patellar replacement are given below. Criterion A pertains to evaluation of preoperative clinical symptoms related to the patellofemoral joint: (a) interview regarding presence/absence of pain around the patella, (b) cracking or pain heard or felt when standing up from a low chair, (c) pain when going upstairs/downstairs. Because it is difficult for individual patients to identify the origin of pain (patellofemoral joint or femorotibial joint), the examiner advised each patient about the location of the patellofemoral joint when checking for these symptoms. Criterion B pertains to intense narrowing or disappearance of the patellofemoral joint space on preoperative X-ray of the knee. Criterion C pertains to the intraoperatively assessed extent of patellar cartilage degeneration corresponding to class 4 of the Outerbridge classification. Patellar replacement was applied to cases satisfying at least one of these sets of criteria (A-a,-b,-c, B and C). Postoperatively, pain of the patellofemoral joint was evaluated again at the time of the last observation, using Criterion A-a,-b,-c.Results:Patellar replacement was applied to 110 knees in accordance with the criteria mentioned above. There were 82 knees satisfying at least one of the Criterion sets A-a,-b,-c, 39 knees satisfying Criterion B and 70 knees satisfying Criterion C. (Some knees satisfied 2 or 3 of Criteria A, B and C).When the pain originating from patellofemoral joint (Criterion A) was clinically assessed at the time of last observation, pain was not seen in any knee of the replacement group and the non-replacement group.Conclusion:Whether or not patellar replacement is needed should be determined on the basis of the symptoms or findings related to the patellofemoral joint, and we see no necessity of patellar replacement in cases free of such symptoms/findings. When surgery was performed in accordance with the criteria on patellar replacement as devised by us, the clinical outcome of the operated patellofemoral joint was favorable, although the follow-up period was not long. Although further follow-up is needed, the results obtained indicate that selective patellar replacement yields favorable outcome if applied to cases judged indicated with appropriate criteria.References:[1]The Effect of Surgeon Preference for Selective Patellar Resurfacing on Revision Risk in Total Knee Replacement: An Instrumental Variable Analysis of 136,116 Procedures from the Australian Orthopaedic Association National Joint Replacement Registry.Vertullo CJ, Graves SE, Cuthbert AR, Lewis PL J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2019 Jul 17;101(14):1261-1270[2]Resurfaced versus Non-Resurfaced Patella in Total Knee Arthroplasty.Allen W1, Eichinger J, Friedman R. Indian J Orthop. 2018 Jul-Aug;52(4):393-398.[3]Is Selectively Not Resurfacing the Patella an Acceptable Practice in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty?Maradit-Kremers H, Haque OJ, Kremers WK, Berry DJ, Lewallen DG, Trousdale RT, Sierra RJ. J Arthroplasty. 2017 Apr;32(4):1143-1147.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Home physiotherapy with vs. without supervision of physiotherapist for assessing manipulation under anaesthesia after total knee arthroplasty

Arthroplasty ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanjay Bhalchandra Londhe ◽  
Ravi Vinod Shah ◽  
Amit Pankaj Doshi ◽  
Shubhankar Sanjay Londhe ◽  
Kavita Subhedar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Forgotten Joint Score ◽  
Group A ◽  
Manipulation Under Anaesthesia ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Group B ◽  
Discharge From Hospital

Abstract The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to compare home physiotherapy with or without supervision of physiotherapist for assessing manipulation under anaesthesia after total knee arthroplasty. Methods A total of 900 patients (including 810 females and 90 males) who had undergone total knee arthroplasty were divided into group A (n = 300) and group B (n = 600). Patients in group A had home physiotherapy on their own after discharge from hospital. The physiotherapist did not visit them at home. Patients in group B received home physiotherapy under supervision of physiotherapist for 6 weeks after discharge from hospital. Patients’ age, range of motion of the knee, and forgotten joint score-12 were assessed. A p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results In group A, the mean age was 69.1 ± 14.3 years (range: 58 to 82 years); in group B, the mean age was 66.5 ± 15.7 years (range: 56 to 83 years) (p > 0.05). Preoperatively, the mean range of motion of the knee in group A and B was 95.8° ± 18.1° and 95.4° ± 17.8°, respectively (p > 0.05). The mean forgotten joint score-12 of group A and B were 11.90 ± 11.3 and 11.72 ± 12.1 (p > 0.05), respectively. Six weeks after total knee arthroplasty, the mean ROM of the knee in group A and B was 109.7° ± 22.3° and 121° ± 21.5°, respectively (p < 0.05). The mean postoperative forgotten joint score-12 of the group A and B was 24.5 ± 16.4 and 25.6 ± 17.4, respectively (p > 0.05). The rate of manipulation under anaesthesia was 3% in group A and 0.2% in group B (p < 0.05). Conclusion After total knee arthroplasty, frequent physiotherapist’s instruction helps the patients improve knee exercises and therefore decrease the risk of revision surgery. The home physiotherapy under supervision of physiotherapist lowers the rate of manipulation under anaesthesia. Level of evidence Therapeutic study, Level IIa.

Providing Inpatient Mobilization with a Mobility Technician Constrains Cost in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas A. Novack ◽  
Christopher J. Mazzei ◽  
Jay N. Patel ◽  
Eileen B. Poletick ◽  
Roberta D'Achille ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Care Pathway ◽  
Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Patient Discharge ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Bundled Payment ◽  
Total Knee

AbstractSince the 2016 implementation of the comprehensive care for joint replacement (CJR) bundled payment model, our institutions have sought to decrease inpatient physical therapy (PT) costs by piloting a mobility technician program (MTP), where mobility technicians (MTs) ambulate postoperative total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients under the supervision of nursing staff members. MTs are certified medical assistants given specialized gate and ambulation training by the PT department. The aim of this study was to examine the economic and clinical impact of MTs on the primary TKA postoperative pathway. We performed a retrospective review of TKA patients who underwent surgery at our institution between April 2018 and March 2019 and who were postoperatively ambulated by MTs. The control group included patients who had surgery during the same months of the prior year, preceding introduction of MTs to the floor. Inclusion criteria included: unilateral primary TKA for arthritic conditions and conversion to unilateral primary TKA from a previous knee surgery. Minitab Software (State College, PA) was used to perform the statistical analysis. There were 658 patients enrolled in the study group and 1,400 in the control group. The two groups shared similar demographics and an average age of 68 (p = 0.177). The median length of stay (LOS) was 2 days in both groups (p = 0.133) with 90.5% of patients in the study group discharged to home versus 81.5% of patients in the control group (p < 0.001). The ability of MTs to increase patient discharge to home without negatively impacting LOS suggest MTs are valuable both clinically to patients, and economically to the institution. Cost analysis highlighted the substantial cost savings that MTs may create in a bundled payment system. With the well-documented benefits of early ambulation following TKA, we demonstrate how MTs can be an asset to optimizing the care pathway of TKA patients.

scholarly journals Efficacy and safety of duloxetine for postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty in centrally sensitized patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shicheng Wang ◽  
Wensheng Wang ◽  
Long Shao ◽  
Jing Ling
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trial ◽  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Randomized Controlled Trial ◽  
Pain Control ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Randomized Controlled ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
Postoperative Residual

Abstract Background Postoperative residual knee pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a significant factor that contributes to patient dissatisfaction. Patients with preoperative central sensitization (CS) may be more susceptible to unexplained chronic pain after TKA, and duloxetine has been reported to be effective in post-TKA pain control in patients with CS. However, there remains limited evidence to support this off-label use in routine clinical practice. Hence, we designed this randomized, placebo-controlled, triple-blind clinical trial to evaluate the effects of preoperative screening and targeted duloxetine treatment of CS on postoperative residual pain compared with the care-as-usual control group. Methods This randomized controlled trial includes patients with knee osteoarthritis on a waiting list for primary unilateral TKA. Patients with preoperative CS will be randomly allocated to the perioperative duloxetine treatment group (duloxetine group) or the care-as-usual control group (placebo group). Patients in the duloxetine group will receive a half-dose of preemptive duloxetine (30 mg/day) for a week before surgery and a full-dose of duloxetine (60 mg/day) for six weeks after surgery. The primary outcome is the intensity of residual pain at six months after TKA, including the visual analogue scale, 11-point numeric rating scale, the sensory dimension of the brief pain inventory, and the pain subscale of the Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score. The secondary outcome measures will include the pain and function related outcomes. All of the patients will be followed up at one, three, and six months after surgery. All adverse events will be recorded and immediately reported to the primary investigator and ethics committee to decide if the patient needs to drop out from the trial. Discussion This clinical trial will convey the latest evidence of the efficacy and safety of the application of duloxetine in postoperative pain control in CS patients who are scheduled for TKA. The study results will be disseminated at national and international conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (http://www.chictr.org.cn) registration number: ChiCTR2000031674. Registered 07 April 2020.

Characterizing the Magnitude of and Risk Factors for Functional Limb Lengthening in Patients Undergoing Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

2021 ◽  
pp. 155633162110091
Author(s):  
Brian P. Chalmers ◽  
Mark LaGreca ◽  
Jacqueline Addona ◽  
Peter K. Sculco ◽  
Steve B. Haas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Limb Lengthening ◽  
Leg Lengthening ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
Plane Deformity ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Primary Total Knee

Background: There is little data on the magnitude and factors for functional leg lengthening after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Questions/Purpose: We sought to determine the incidence of and risk factors for functional leg lengthening after primary TKA. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive unilateral primary TKAs at a single institution from 2015 to 2018. Of the 782 TKAs included, 430 (55%) were performed in women; the mean age was 66 years, and the mean body mass index was 29 kg/m2. Preoperatively, 541 (69%) knees were varus deformities and 223 (29%) were valgus deformities. Hip to ankle biplanar radiographs were obtained preoperatively and 6 weeks postoperatively for all patients. Two independent researchers measured leg length, coronal plane deformity, lateral knee flexion angle, and overall mechanical alignment on all preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Results: The mean overall ipsilateral functional leg lengthening was 7.0 mm. Seven hundred knees (90%) were overall functionally lengthened, including 462 (59%) knees lengthened >5 mm and 250 (31%) knees lengthened 10 mm or more. A valgus deformity and coronal plane deformity of 10° or more were significant risk factors for increased functional lengthening. Patients with severe valgus deformities (>10°) had the largest amount of functional lengthening, at a mean of 13.5 mm. Conclusion: After primary TKA, 90% of limbs are functionally lengthened, including roughly one-third over a centimeter. Valgus knee deformities and severe deformities (>10°) were significant risk factors for increased limb lengthening.

scholarly journals Effect of Posterior Tibial Slope Change on Postoperative Range of Motion and Clinical Outcomes after Posterior Cruciate-Substituting Total Knee Arthroplasty

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
O-Sung Lee ◽  
Jangyun Lee ◽  
Myung Chul Lee ◽  
Hyuk-Soo Han
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Tibial Slope ◽  
Posterior Tibial Slope ◽  
Posterior Tibial ◽  
Clinical Scores ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
The Mean

AbstractThe posterior tibial slope (PTS) is usually adjusted by less than 5 degrees, without considering its individual difference, during posterior cruciate-substituting (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The effect of these individual changes of PTS would be important because clinical results depending on postoperative PTS were reported conflictingly. We investigated the effect of the change in PTS on the postoperative range of motion (ROM) and clinical scores after PS TKA. We retrospectively reviewed 164 knees from 107 patients who underwent PS TKA with a 2-year follow-up. We analyzed the preoperative and postoperative PTS, ROM, visual analog scale pain scale, Western Ontario and McMaster University Index (WOMAC), Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score, Knee Society Score, and Forgotten Joint Score (FJS). The association of the absolute change in PTS with ROM and clinical scores was analyzed using correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis. As a result, the mean PTS and mean ROM changed from 9.6 ±  3.4 and 120.1 ±  15.4 degrees preoperatively to 2.0 ±  1.3 and 128.4 ±  9.3 degrees postoperatively, and the mean PTS change was 7.6 ±  3.5 degrees. The PTS change had no statistically significant association with the postoperative ROM and clinical scoring systems, although it did have a weak positive correlation with WOMAC function, No 10 (difficulty in rising from sitting) (correlation coefficient = 0.342, p = 0.041), and moderate positive correlation with the FJS, No. 6 (awareness when climbing stairs) (correlation coefficient = 0.470, p = 0.001). The authors concluded that the amount of change in PTS did not affect the postoperative ROM and clinical scores, although proximal tibial resection with a constant target of PTS resulted in individually different changes in the PTS after PS TKA,

The Effect of Preoperative Video Based Pain Training on Postoperative Pain and Analgesic Use in Patients Undergoing Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Non-randomized Control Group Intervention Study

2020 ◽  
pp. 105477382098336
Author(s):  
Ceyda Su Gündüz ◽  
Nurcan Çalişkan
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Postoperative Pain ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Group Intervention ◽  
Intervention Study ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
Randomized Control ◽  
Analgesic Use

This non-randomized control group intervention study was conducted to determine the effect of preoperative video based pain training on postoperative pain and analgesic use in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. During the study, the patients in the control ( n = 40) received routine care and the patients in the intervention group ( n = 40) received video based pain training. İt was determined that the mean postoperative pain scores of the intervention group were significantly lower and their pain management was better compared to the control group ( p < .05). The intervention group was found to use significantly less paracetamol on operation day compared to the control group ( p < .05). The intervention group was determined to benefit from non-pharmacological methods more than the control group did ( p < .05). Providing video based pain training to patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty is recommended since it reduces postoperative pain levels and increases the use of non-pharmacological pain control methods.

scholarly journals Accuracy of total knee arthroplasty using the modified gap technique based on the bone gap: an evaluation of the bone gap with a distal femoral trial component

Arthroplasty ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Goki Kamei ◽  
Shigeki Ishibashi ◽  
Koki Yoshioka ◽  
Satoru Sakurai ◽  
Hiroyuki Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Total Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Soft Tissue ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Distal Femur ◽  
Gap Size ◽  
Flexion Gap ◽  
Gap Technique ◽  
Joint Gap ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background In total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using the modified gap technique, the soft-tissue balance is measured after osteotomy of the distal femur and proximal tibia (conventional bone gap). However, after osteotomy, the flexion gap size during 90° knee flexion may be larger than that observed after implantation. The tension of the lateral compartment during 90° flexion may also be reduced after osteotomy of the distal femur. We manufactured a distal femoral trial component to reproduce the condition after implantation and prior to posterior condyle osteotomy. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the trial component on the flexion gap. Methods This prospective study included 21 consecutive patients aged 78 years with medial osteoarthritis who underwent cruciate-retaining TKA between February 2017 and March 2018. The postoperative flexion gap size and inclination during 90° flexion were compared between cases with and without the trial component. Results The mean joint gap size with the trial component (13.4 ± 0.80 mm) was significantly smaller than that without the trial component (14.7 ± 0.84 mm). The mean gap inclination angle with the trial component (3.7° ± 0.62°) was significantly smaller than that without the trial component (5.5° ± 0.78°). Conclusions In the present study, the joint gap size and medial tension were significantly reduced after the trial component had been set. Accurate measurement of the soft-tissue balance is an important factor in the modified gap technique, and this method using a distal femoral trial component can offer better outcomes than those achieved with conventional methods.

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