Abstract
Revision total knee replacement is becoming a more common procedure. Landmarks commonly used for alignment are often distorted by the cause of the failure or removing the components themselves. This can make correct alignment and re-creation of joint line height difficult.
We looked at consecutive knee replacements that underwent revision surgery over one year. All cases had revision total knee replacements by the senior author using the Stryker® Navigation System. All cases were assessed radiographically post-operatively with long leg Maquet views. The tibial and femoral component varus/ valgus angles taken from the mechanical axis and the mechanical tibio-femoral angle were measured.
On long leg Maquet views the mean mechanical tibio-femoral angle was 3.25 with a range from 0 to 6, the mean tibial component angle was 90.4 with a range of 89 to 92 and the mean femoral component angle was 90.3 with a range of 89 to 91.
Computer navigation in revision total knee replacement is a safe procedure that gives reproducible results. Postoperative alignment, as measured radiographically, gave good results with tibial and femoral components within 2 degrees to the perpendicular of the mechanical axis. We feel that navigation is helpful in obtaining accurate positioning of components in revision knee surgery.
Address for Correspondence: Mr K Deep, General Secretary CAOS UK, 82 Windmill Road, Gillingham, Kent ME7 5NX UK. E Mail: caosuk@gmail.com
