The aim of this study was to quantify mid-flexion laxity in a total knee arthroplasty with an elevated joint line, as compared to a native knee and a TKA with joint line maintained. Our hypothesis was joint line elevation of 4mm would increase coronal plane laxity throughout mid-flexion in a pattern distinct from the preoperative knee or in a TKA with native joint line. Six fresh-frozen cadaver legs from hip-to-toe underwent TKA with a posterior stabilised implant (APEX PS, OMNIlife Science, Inc.) using a computer navigation system equipped with a robotic cutting-guide, in this controlled laboratory cadaveric study. After the initial tibial and femoral resections were performed, the flexion and extension gaps were balanced using navigation, and a 4mm recut was made in the distal femur. The remaining femoral cuts were made, the femoral component was downsized by resecting an additional 4mm of bone off the posterior condyles, and the polyethylene was increased by 4mm to create a situation of a well-balanced knee with an elevated joint line. The navigation system was used to measure overall coronal plane laxity by measuring the mechanical alignment angle at maximum extension, 30, 45, 60 and 90(of flexion, when applying a standardised varus/valgus load of 9.8Nm across the knee using a 4kg spring-load located at 25cm distal to the knee joint line. Laxity was also measured in the native knee, as well as the native knee after a standard approach during TKA which included a medial release. Coronal plane laxity was defined as the absolute difference (in degrees) between the mean mechanical alignment angle obtained from applying a standardised varus and valgus stress at 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90(.Introduction
Methods
The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze the amount coronal plane laxity in mid-flexion that occurs in a well-balanced knee with an elevated joint line of 4 mm. In the setting an elevated joint line, we hypothesized that we would observe an increased varus and/or valgus laxity throughout mid flexion. After obtaining IRB approval, nine fresh-frozen cadaver legs from hip-to-toe underwent TKA with a posterior stabilized implant (APEX PS, OMNIlife Science, Inc.) using a computer navigation system equipped with a robotic cutting-guide, in this controlled laboratory cadaveric study. After the initial tibial and femoral resections were performed, the flexion and extension gaps were balanced using navigation, and a 4 mm recut was made in the distal femur. The remaining femoral cuts were made, the femoral component was downsized by resecting an additional 4 mm of bone off the posterior condyles, and the polyethylene was increased by 4 mm to create a situation of a well-balanced knee with an elevated joint line. Real implants were used in the study to eliminate any inherent error or laxity in the trials. The navigation system was used to measure overall coronal plane laxity by measuring the mechanical alignment angle at maximum extension, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees of flexion, when applying a standardized varus/valgus load of 9.8 [Nm] across the knee using a 4 kg spring-load located at 25 cm distal to the knee joint line (Figure 1). Coronal plane laxity was defined as the absolute difference (in degrees) between the mean mechanical alignment angle obtained from applying a standardized varus and valgus stress at 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees. Each measurement was performed three separate times. Two tailed student t-tests were performed to analyze whether there was difference in the mean mechanical alignment angle at 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° between the well balanced scenario and following a 4 mm joint line elevation with an otherwise well balanced knee.Introduction
Methods
Computer assisted surgery (CAS) systems have been shown to improve alignment accuracy in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), yet concerns regarding increased costs, operative times, pin sites, and the learning curve associated with CAS techniques have limited its widespread acceptance. The purpose of this study was to compare the alignment accuracy of an accelerometer-based, portable navigation device (KneeAlignÒ 2) to a large console, imageless CAS system (AchieveCAS). Our hypothesis is that no significant difference in alignment accuracy will be appreciated between the portable, accelerometer-based system, and the large-console, imageless navigation system. 62 consecutive patients, and a total of 80 knees, received a posterior cruciate substituting TKA using the Achieve CAS computer navigation system. Subsequently, 65 consecutive patients, and a total of 80 knees, received a posterior cruciate substituting TKA using the KneeAlignÒ 2 to perform both the distal femoral and proximal tibial resections (femoral guide seen in Figure 1, and tibial guide seen in Figure 2). Postoperatively, standing AP hip-to-ankle radiographs were obtained for each patient, from which the lower extremity mechanical axis, tibial component varus/valgus mechanical alignment, and femoral component varus/valgus mechanical alignment were digitally measured. Each measurement was performed by two, blinded independent observers, and interclass correlation for each measurement was calculated. All procedures were performed using a thigh pneumatic tourniquet, and the total tourniquet time for each procedure was recorded.Introduction
Methods
The aim of this study was to quantitatively analyze the amount coronal plane laxity in mid-flexion that occurs with a loose extension gap in TKA. In the setting of a loose extension gap, we hypothesized that although full extension is achieved, a loose extension gap will ultimately lead to increased varus and/or valgus laxity throughout mid flexion. After obtaining IRB approval, six fresh-frozen cadaver legs from hip-to-toe underwent TKA with a posterior stabilized implant (APEX PS OMNIlife Science, Inc.) using a computer navigation system equipped with a robotic cutting-guide, in this controlled laboratory cadaveric study. After the initial tibial and femoral resections were performed, and the flexion and extension gaps were balanced using navigation, a 4 mm distal recut was made in the distal femur to create a loose extension gap (using the same thickness of polyethylene as the well-balanced case). Real implants were used in the study to eliminate error in any laxity inherent to the trials. The navigation system was used to measure overall coronal plane laxity by measuring the mechanical alignment angle at maximum extension, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees of flexion, when applying a standardized varus/valgus load of 9.8 [Nm] across the knee using a 4 kg spring-load located at 25 cm distal to the knee joint line. (Figure 1). Coronal plane laxity was defined as the absolute difference (in degrees) between the mean mechanical alignment angle obtained from applying a standardized varus and valgus stress at 0, 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees. Each measurement was performed three separate times. Two tailed student t-tests were performed to analyze whether there was difference in the mean mechanical alignment angle at 0°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 90° between the well balanced scenario and following a 4 mm recut in the distal femur creating a loose extension gap.Introduction
Methods
The aims of this study were: 1) to quantitatively analyse the amount of knee extension that is achieved with +2mm incremental increases in the amount of distal femoral bone that is resected during TKA in the setting of a flexion contracture, 2) to quantify the amount of coronal plane laxity that occurs with each 2mm increase in the amount of distal femur resected. In the setting of a soft tissue flexion contracture, we hypothesized that although resecting more distal femur will reliably improve maximal knee extension, it will ultimately lead to increased varus and/or valgus laxity throughout mid-flexion. Seven fresh-frozen cadaver legs from hip-to-toe underwent TKA with a posterior stabilized implant using a measured resection technique with computer navigation system equipped with a robotic cutting-guide, in this IRB approved, controlled laboratory study. After the initial tibial and femoral resections were performed, the posterior joint capsule was sutured (imbricated) through the joint space under direct visualization until a 10° flexion contracture was obtained with the trial components in place, as confirmed by computer navigation. Two distal femoral recuts of +2mm each where then subsequently made and after the remaining femoral cuts were made, the trail implants were reinserted. The navigation system was used to measure overall coronal plane laxity by measuring the mechanical alignment angle at maximum extension, 30°, 60° and 90° of flexion, when applying a standardized varus/valgus load of 9.8 [Nm] across the knee using a 4kg spring-load located at 25cm distal to the knee joint line.(Figure 1) Coronal plane laxity was defined as the absolute difference (in °) between the mean mechanical alignment angle obtained from applying a standardized varus and valgus stress at 0°, 30, 60° and 90°. Each measurement was performed three separate times and averaged. The maximal extension angle achieved following each 2mm distal recut was also recorded. Two-tailed student's t-tests were performed to analyze whether there was difference in the mean laxity at each angle and if there was a significant improvement in maximal extension with each recut. P-values < 0.05 were considered significant.Aims/Hypothesis
Methods
Our aim was to compare the passive kinematics and coronal plane stability throughout flexion in the native and the replaced knee, using three different TKA designs: posterior stabilized (PS), bi-cruciate substituting (BCS), and ultracongruent (UC). Our hypotheses were: 1.) a guided motion knee replacement (BCS) offers the closest replication of native knee kinematics in terms of femoral rollback 2.) the replaced knee will be significantly more stable in the coronal plane than the native knee; 3.) No difference exists in coronal plane stability between the 3 implants/designs throughout flexion. After IRB approval, two cadaveric specimens were used for a pilot study to determine sample size. Five fresh-frozen hip-to-toe cadaveric specimens then underwent TKA using an anatomic measured resection technique with a computer-navigated robotic femoral cutting-guide. The PS, BCS, and UC TKA designs were implanted in each knee using the same distal and posterior femoral cuts to standardize the position of the implants. Computer navigation was then utilized to record the varus/valgus laxity of each implant at 0°, 30°, 60° and 90° of flexion while applying a standardized 9.8Nm moment. Passive tibiofemoral kinematics were measured in a continuous passive motion machine from 10° to 110°. Femoral rollback on the tibia was calculated for the native and replaced knees by measuring the closest point (CP) on the femoral condyle to a transverse plane perpendicular to the mechanical axis of the tibia at each flexion angle.Purpose
Methods
We evaluated the effects on infection control and clinical feasibility of a prosthesis with antibiotic-loaded acrylic cement(PROSTALAC) which was designed for treatment of infected total hip arthroplasty. Thirty patients underwent two-staged exchange arthroplasty using the PROSTALAC for treatment of the infected total hip arthroplasty were analysed from March 1995 to February 2007. For shaping of the stem spacer, cement containing antibiotics were appropriately coated on stem spacer and push and pull movement was carried out within the medullary cavity of proximal femur until cement hardened. Also, for prevent of post surgical dislocation, a specially designed polyethylene liner was used. Postoperatively, antibiotics were administered for at least 6 weeks according to the results of erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein assessment. Infection cure rated 83.3% (20 cases) and C-reactive protein normalized in an average of 5.6weeks (2wks~26wks) but ESR showed very variable score. Partial weight bearing with crutch was possible after 2 weeks postoperatively and lower-limb shortening averaged to 1.43 cm (0.5~3) with a mean bending range of 63.6 degrees (40~90). There were neither dislocations nor fractures during patient mobilization and 5 cases, especially in old age showed satisfactory results even without second staged revision. Recurred infection after PROSTALAC insertion occurred in 5 cases (15%). Appropriate techniques of PROSTALAC insertion for stability allows us to adjust the reimplantation timing to the course of infection control.
