Backgrounds

In order to permit soft tissue balancing under more physiological conditions during total knee arthroplasties (TKAs), we developed an offset type tensor to obtain soft tissue balancing throughout the range of motion with reduced patella-femoral (PF) and aligned tibiofemoral joints and reported the intra-operative soft tissue balance assessment in cruciate-retaining (CR) and posterior-stabilized (PS) TKA [1, 2]. However, the soft tissue balance in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is unclear. Therefore, we recently developed a new tensor for UKAs that is designed to assist with soft tissue balancing throughout the full range of motion. The first purpose of the present study is to assess joint gap kinematics in UKA. Secondly, we attempted to compare the pattern in UKA with those in CR and PS TKA with the reduced PF joint and femoral component placement, which more closely reproduces post-operative joint alignment.

Introduction

Appropriate intraoperative soft tissue balancing is recognized to be essential in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, it has been rarely reported whether intraoperative soft tissue balance reflects postoperative outcomes. In this study, we therefore assessed the relationship between the intra-operative soft tissue balance measurements and the post-operative stress radiographs at a minimum 1-year follow-up in cruciate-retaining (CR) TKA, and further analyzed the postoperative clinical outcome.

Objective

Although both accurate component placement and adequate soft tissue balance have been recognized as essential surgical principle in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), the influence of intra-operative soft tissue balance on the post-operative clinical results has not been well investigated. In the present study, newly developed TKA tensor was used to evaluate soft tissue balance quantitatively. We analyzed the influence of soft tissue balance on the post-operative knee extension after posterior-stabilized (PS) TKA.

Introductions

In cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (TKA), among many factors influencing post-operative outcome, increasing the tibial slope has been considered as one of the beneficial factors to gain deep flexion because of leading more consistent femoral rollback and avoiding direct impingement of the insert against the posterior femur. In contrast, whether increasing the tibial slope is useful or not is controversial in posterior-stabilized (PS) TKA, Under such recognition, accurate soft tissue balancing is also essential surgical intervention for acquisition of successful postoperative outcomes in TKA. In order to permit soft tissue balancing under more physiological conditions during TKAs, we developed an offset type tensor to obtain soft tissue balancing throughout the range of motion with reduced patello-femoral(PF) and aligned tibiofemoral joints and have reported the relationship between intra-operative soft tissue balance and flexion angles. In this study, we therefore assessed the relationship between intra-operative soft tissue balance assessed using the tensor and the tibial slope in PS TKA.

Introduction

Achieving high flexion after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most important clinical results, especially in eastern countries where the high flexion activities, such as kneeling and squatting, are part of the important lifestyle. Numerous studies have examined the kinematics after TKA. However, there are few numbers of studies which examined the kinematics during deep knee flexion activities. Therefore, in the present study, we report analysis of mobile-bearing TKA kinematics from extension to deep flexion kneeling using 2D-3D image matching technique.

Introduction

Accurate soft tissue balancing has been recognized as important as alignment of bony cut in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). In addition, using a tensor for TKA that is designed to facilitate soft tissue balance measurements throughout the range of motion with a reduced patello-femoral (PF) joint and femoral component in place, PF joint condition (everted or reduced) has been proved to have a significant effect for intra-operative soft tissue balance. On the other hand, effect of patellar height on intra-operative soft tissue balance has not been well addressed. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of patellar height by comparing intra-operative soft tissue balance of patella higher subjects (Insall-Salvati index>1) and patella lower subjects (Insall-Salvati indexâ‰/1).

Introduction

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with a computer-assisted navigation system has been developed to improve the accuracy of the alignment of osteotomies and implantations. One of the most important goals of TKA is to improve the flexion angle. Although accurate soft tissue balancing has been recognized as an essential surgical intervention influencing flexion angle, the direct relationship between post-operative flexion angle and intra-operative soft tissue balance during TKA, has little been clarified. In the present study, therefore, we focused on the relationship between them in cruciate-retaining (CR) TKA with a navigation system.

Using a tensor for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) that is designed to facilitate soft tissue balance measurements with a reduced patello-femoral (PF) joint, we examined the influence of pre-operative deformity on intra-operative soft tissue balance during posterior-stabilized (PS) TKA. Joint component gap and varus angle were assessed at 0, 10, 45, 90 and 135° of flexion with femoral trial prosthesis placed and PF joint reduced in 60 varus type osteoarthritic patients. Joint gap measurement showed no significant difference regardless the amount of pre-operative varus alignment. With the procedures of soft tissue release avoiding joint line elevation, however, intra-operative varus angle with varus alignment of more than 20 degrees exhibited significant larger values compared to those with varus alignment of less than 20 degrees throughout the range of motion. Accordingly, we conclude that pre-operative severe varus deformity may have the risk for leaving post-operative varus soft tissue balance during PS TKA.

Recently, many researches of minimal incision surgery (MIS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) have been reported, however very few of these contain clinical results. Regardless of this, MIS TKA is widely promoted as an improvement over traditional TKA. Although traditional TKA allows for excellent visualization, component orientation, fixation, and has been associated with remarkable long-term implant survival, many patients expect an extremely small incision, minimal or no pain and discomfort associated with their surgery, and certainly no increase in the complication rate. While there is some evidence that short term benefits may occur, there is concern that there may be an increase in complications with the use of MIS technique. We report here cases that malalignments in early phase were occurred after MIS TKAs. A consecutive series of MIS TKA for varus osteoarthritis undertaken by 2 surgeons at 2 centers during 2-year priod (2006–2007) was reviewed. During this interval, 50 MIS TKAs were performed. The mean age was 75.6 years (range 54 to 88 years). Cases for post-operatively infection were excluded. There were 2 cases that early failures due to varus sinking of tibial component were confirmed in early phase (7 and 3 months after primary surgery). We analyzed data between early failed cases and non-failed cases. Patients with early failure were younger, which showed a trend toward significance (p=0.11; failed; 66.5, non-failed; 75.9 years). There was no difference in amount of both medial and lateral side of distal femoral cut between early failed cases and non-failed cases. Proximal tibial cut was significantly larger in early failed cases compared with non-failed cases (p=0.01; failed; 16.5±4.5, nonfailed; 11.4±6.6). There was no difference in Femorotibial angle (FTA) after surgery between them. Substantial backgrounds of occurring early failure after MIS TKA are not still clarified, however, very early failure were occurred in patients, who had significant large cut of proximal tibia, in our experienced cases. MIS TKA may lead to varus imbalance due to increased amount of bony cut and decreased medial soft tissue release. Henceforth, the high prevalence of MIS failures occurring in early phase is disturbing, because of limited working space and warrants further investigation.

Purpose: A common difficulty with manually-performed total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) is obtaining accurate intra-operative soft tissue balancing, an aspect of this procedure that surgeons traditionally address through their “subjective feel” and experience with an unphysiological joint condition. We have therefore developed a new tensor for TKAs that enables us to assess for soft tissue balancing throughout the range of motion about the knee with a reduced patello-femoral (PF) joint and femoral component in place. This tensor permits us to intra-operatively reproduce the post-operative alignment of the PF and tibio-femoral joints. The main purpose of this study is to compare ligament balance in cruciate-retaining (CR) and posterior-stabilized (PS) TKAs.

Methods: Using the tensor, we intra-operatively compared the ligament balance measurements of CR and PS TKAs performed at 0, 10, 45, 90 and 135° of flexion, with the patella both everted and reduced. From a group of 40 consecutive females (40 varus osteoarthritic knees) blinded to the type of implant received, we prospectively randomized 20 patients to receive a CR TKA (NexGen CR Flex) and the other 20 patients a PS TKA (NexGen LPS Flex). The CR TKA group had a mean age of 73.7 ± 1.3 years while the PS TKA group had a mean age of 73.8 ± 1.7 years.

Results: The mean values of varus angle in CR TKA with the knee at 0, 10, 45, 90 and 135 degrees of flexion were 3.0, 3.2, 2.7, 4.2 and 5.1 ° with the patella everted, and 3.9, 4.2, 2.5, 2.0 and 2.0 ° with the patella reduced. The mean values of varus angle in PS TKA at these same degrees of flexion, respectively, were 3.0, 4.1, 6.0, 6.2 and 6.1 ° with the patella everted, and 3.8, 4.1, 6.3, 6.3 and 4.9 ° with the patella reduced. While the ligament balance measurements with a reduced patella of PS TKAs slightly increased in varus from extension to mid-range of flexion (p< 0.05), these values slightly decreased for CR TKA (p< 0.05). Additionally, the ligament balance at deep knee flexion was significantly smaller in varus for both types of prosthetic knees when the PF joint was reduced (p< 0.05).

Conclusion: Accordingly, we conclude that the ligament balance kinematic patterns differ between everted and reduced patellae, as well as between PS and CR TKA.

Background: The use of computer-assisted navigation system had proved to result in consistently accurate alignment of prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), however, the clinical midterm to long-term results remains unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate whether clinical results after computer-assisted TKA is superior to the conventional surgical method at midterm, minimum for 5 years follow-up.

Materials: From October 2002 to May 2003, we implanted 30 posterior stabilized total knee prostheses (PFC Sigma; DePuy Inc) using a computed tomography-free navigation system (Vector Vision) for patients diagnosed as osteoarthritis. A control group of 30 matched total knee prostheses of the same type were implanted via a classical, surgeon-controlled technique. Midterm 5 year clinical results including range of motion and Knee Society Clinical Rating Score were compared with these groups. The navigation group was comprised of 23 women and 4 men with a mean age of 81.0 years (range: 56–89 years) at final follow-up and the manual group was comprised of 23 women and 4 men with a mean age of 78.2 years (range: 51–87 years).The results were analyzed statistically and differences of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: Mean follow-up duration was 68.9 months (range: 60–78 months) in the navigation group and 72.8 months (range: 60–80 months) in the manual group. Total 6 patients (3 patients in each group) were lost to follow-up because of their death or lost contact. The follow-up rate was 90 %. No revision or reoperations were required in this study. The average preoperative knee society knee score (KSS) and knee society functional score (KSFS) in the navigation group were 52.9 points (range: 43–77 points) and 51.4 points (range: 25–80 points), respectively and the average postoperative scores were 89.7 points (range: 64–100 points) and 79.7 points (range: 40–100 points), respectively. The average preoperative KSS and KSFS in the manual group were 50.7 points (range: 43–77 points) and 50.3 points (range: 10–80 points), respectively, and the average postoperative scores were 89.6 points (range: 70–100 points) and 75.2 (range: 5–100 points), respectively. No significant differences were noted between the two groups both pre-and postoperatively. The average preoperative range of motion (ROM) in the navigation group was 105.0° (75°–125°); −8.6° (range: 0° to −25°) for extension and 113.6° (range: 85°–135°) for flexion, respectively. The average postoperative ROM was 113.8° (85°–130°); −1.0° (range: 0° to −10°) for extension and 117.0° (range: 105°–130°) for flexion, respectively. The average preoperative ROM in the manual group was 102.5° (65°–140°); −10.2° (range: 0° to −25°) for extension and 112.7° (range: 75°–140°) for flexion, respectively, the average postoperative ROM was 106.9° (80°–130°); −0.0° (range: 0°) for extension and 106.9° (range: 80°–130°) for flexion, respectively. Although no significant difference was found between preoperative ROM for the two groups, the navigation group showed a significantly better ROM compared to the manual group.

Conclusions: Minimum 5-year follow-up of computer-assisted TKA used in the present study revealed that better ROM was achieved, compared with the conventional surgical method. KSS and KSFS were equally good among these two groups. The results focused on the radiographically malaligned patients and further longer follow-up were needed to reveal whether computer-assisted TKA has true clinical benefits compared with the conventional surgical method.

Purpose: Continuous femoral nerve block (CFNB) has been revealed to be a safe and effective method to decrease postoperative pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

However, optimal duration for CFNB to decrease pain and accelerate rehabilitation program after TKA has not been addressed. We, therefore, compared three groups of patients which had different duration of CFNB (0, 2, and 5days) in this study.

Methods: Sixty patients who received primary TKA for osteoarthritis were divided into three groups based on the duration to receive CFNB for 0day, 2days or 5days (twenty patients for each group). Ropivacaine 2mg/mL was given through the femoral nerve catheter using elastomeric infusers (delivering 2ml/hr for each group).

Outcomes including visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores and range of motion (ROM) were compared at 1st, 3rd, 6th, 14th and 21th days after surgery. In addition, the postoperative date when patients could walk stably with parallel bar, walker, or T-cane were recorded and compared.

Results: At 1st and 3rd day postoperatively, the VAS was significantly better in the CFNB 2 days and CFNB 5 days group than in the CFNB 0 day group (P< 0.05).

ROM did not show significant difference among the three groups over postoperative days 1st to 21st (P> 0.05), although groups with the CFNB showed greater ROM at all time points. The CFNB 5 days group obtained stable walking ability with T-cane earlier than other groups (P< 0.05). No patient had any side effect by having CFNB in this study.

Discussion: Postoperative use of CFNB reduced pain at first 3days, and shorten the time to acquire stable walking ability after TKA. We conclude that CFNB should be kept for 5days after surgery to decrease pain and accelerate rehabilitation program after TKA.

We have developed a new tensor for total knee replacements which is designed to assist with soft-tissue balancing throughout the full range of movement with a reduced patellofemoral joint. Using this tensor in 40 patients with osteoarthritis we compared the intra-operative joint gap in cruciate-retaining and posterior-stabilised total knee replacements at 0°, 10°, 45°, 90° and 135° of flexion, with the patella both everted and reduced.

While the measurement of the joint gap with a reduced patella in posterior-stabilised knees increased from extension to flexion, it remained constant for cruciate-retaining joints throughout a full range of movement. The joint gaps at deep knee flexion were significantly smaller for both types of prosthetic knee when the patellofemoral joint was reduced (p < 0.05).