Gait Analysis in Degenerative Arthritis of the Knee at Pre- and Post-Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes of the gait pattern and the clinical improvement in patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). METHOD: Gait analysis was performed in 64 patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee at pre- and post-surgery 1 year, also Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and Visual analogue scale (VAS) for clinical assessment were investigated. RESULTS: 1) In the HSS knee score and VAS, there were statistically significant improvement after surgery (p<0.05). 2) In the postoperative gait analysis, all the linear parameters except single limb support period were significantly improved (p<0.05). Single limb support period was improved, but statistically insignificant. All the kinematic and kinetic parameters also were significantly improved (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that gait analysis can be used for quantitative evaluation of the effects of total knee arthroplasty in patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee.

Treatment of Infected TKRA / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To investigate the causes and to determine the most useful test for the early diagnosis of infected TKRA, and to present the treatment modality and its possible complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 17 cases, with follow up, among the 18 infected TKRA cases registered from March 1992 to June 2000. Diagnosis of deep infection after TKRA was made by assessing clinical symptoms, laboratory and radiological findings, nuclear scan studies and aspirate culture results. Data were analyzed clinically by HSS score, recurrence of infection and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The overall incidence of deep infection after TKRA was 1.4%. In fourteen of the 17 cases TKRA was revised. In 13 cases, excluding 1 case of infection recurrence after 2-stage TKRA revision, the mean ROM increased from 55o to 86o and the mean HSS score increased from 53 points to 84. Knee fusion was performed in 4 cases, including one case of infection recurrence after 2-stage TKRA revision. CONCLUSION: The most reliable clinical results were achieved after a 2-stage TKRA revision. Knee joint fusion should be considered when the general condition is poor, with an initial diagnosis of infection, and in the presence of skin problems.

Arthroscopic Debridement in Osteoarthritis of the Knee

A retrospective review was performed in 33 knees of 30 patients who had undergone arthroscopic debridement for degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee. The mean age of the patients at operation was 55 years and the mean follow-up after operation was 15 months. We divided the knec:s into 2 groups; meniscectomy group (23 knees) and non-meniscectomy group (10 knees). The preoperative radiographic findings were divided into 3 groups according to the classification systern by Lotke et al. The postoperative results were evaluated using the nine-point scale by Baumgaertner et al. Our study was conducted to: 1) assess the overall efficacy of arthroscopic debridement, 2) compare the results between the. Meniscectomy group and nonmeniscectomy group, and 3) identify the relationship between the preoperative radiographic findings and out- come at the final follow-up time. Overall excellent or good results were ac.hieved in 22 knees (67%) and the preoperative radiographic findings correlated with the outcome at the final follow-up time. But the results in the meniscectomy and non-meniscectomy poups showed no significant differences statistically. We believe that arthroscopic debridement is an effective option of treatments for mild I:o moderate degenerative arthritis of the knee after failure of conservative measures.