Combination of measured resection and gap balancing technique used in femoral component rotation in total knee arthroplasty / 中国组织工程研究

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.

Gap Balancing vs. Measured Resection Technique in Total Knee Arthroplasty

A goal of total knee arthroplasty is to obtain symmetric and balanced flexion and extension gaps. Controversy exists regarding the best surgical technique to utilize to obtain gap balance. Some favor the use of a measured resection technique in which bone landmarks, such as the transepicondylar, the anterior-posterior, or the posterior condylar axes are used to determine proper femoral component rotation and subsequent gap balance. Others favor a gap balancing technique in which the femoral component is positioned parallel to the resected proximal tibia with each collateral ligament equally tensioned to obtain a rectangular flexion gap. Two scientific studies have been performed comparing the two surgical techniques. The first utilized computer navigation and demonstrated a balanced and rectangular flexion gap was obtained much more frequently with use of a gap balanced technique. The second utilized in vivo video fluoroscopy and demonstrated a much high incidence of femoral condylar lift-off (instability) when a measured resection technique was used. In summary, the authors believe gap balancing techniques provide superior gap balance and function following total knee arthroplasty.