ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Total knee arthroplasty is effective in managing end-stage knee disease. Measured resection and gap balancing are two different techniques. Both of two have advantages and disadvantages. A technique has been developed that combines the benefits of measured resection and gap balancing to optimize the clinical effect of total knee arthroplasty. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the operation and early clinical effect in total knee arthroplasty about the combination of measured resection and gap balancing technique used in femoral component rotation. METHODS: Totally 30 patients were treated with the combination of measured resection and gap balancing technique in total knee arthroplasty from September 2016 to December 2018, including 4 males and 26 females, at the age of 46-81 years. There were 24 cases of osteoarthritis with varus and 2 cases of osteoarthritis with valgus. There were 4 cases of rheumatoid arthritis with valgus. All patients signed the informed consent. This study was approved by the Hospital Ethics Committee. Effects were evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale, Hospital for Special Surgery score, femorotibial angle and range of motion before surgery and during final follow-up. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) The incision healed in the first stage after operation. No early complications occurred, such as infection, vascular nerve injury, deep venous thrombosis of the lower extremities and periprosthetic fracture. (2) Totally 30 patients were followed up for 6-30 months. (3) Visual Analogue Scale, Hospital for Special Surgery score, range of motion and femorotibial angle were improved during final follow-up compared with those before surgery (P < 0.05). (4) Surgeons should be familiar with measured resection and gap balancing technique in total knee arthroplasty, and then use the combination of two techniques based on the specific situation of patients to obtain better soft tissue balance and prosthesis position. The combination technique is easy to master and can be operated with traditional osteotomy tools. Thus, good short-term effect can be achieved.