Functional stability is a new concept stating that lower tensions than expected are enough to achieve joint stability leading to proper function after TKA. To check this rationale clinically, a new electronic device (DLB bicon sensorplate) was used intraoperatively to measure ligament tension and allow the surgeon to proper balance the knee after TKA insertion. In this study a controlled clinical analysis at 1 YR follow-up is reported. A cohort of 25 patients was treated in a single centre, single surgeon study to quantify the influence of the use of this electronic device in the short- and midterm results (DLB Group). A control cohort of 25 patients were treated without the device (Control Group). All patients were monitored by the use of OKS, AKSS and FJS; beside that, the muscle function before and after the surgery was tested and a load distribution analysis was performed. The FU examinations were done after 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months and 1 yr. All the patients finished the study and could be included.Introduction
Methods
Sensoric soft tissue balancing in performing TKA is an upcoming topic to improve the results in TKA. A well balanced knee is working more proper together with the muscular stabilizing structures. Dynamic ligament balancing (DLB)R give us the opportunity to check the balance of the ligaments at the beginning and the end of the surgery before implanting the definitive prosthesis. It is a platform independent, single-use device, which can be combined with all common types of knee prosthesis. DLBR consists of a set of 10 different sizes of baseplates including a spring coil of 20N (A). Connected to a tablet all datas can be shown during surgery and stored for patient security. During the surgery the tibial cut is performed first, rectangular to the longitudinal axis respecting the right slope. A navigation system is recommended to ensure this request. Measurement before femoral cuts are performed and give an information about distance between tibial plate and femoral condyles, joint angle and calculated contact pressure. The femoral cuts can be performed with the original cutting block. After positioning the femoral trial, testing is repeated and should show a balanced situation over all the ROM. The overall period datas were stored and compared to the subjective feeling of the patients.Introduction
Materials and Methods
