Application of soft tissue balancing technique in artificial joint replacement in Uighur with genu valgum / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Because the geographical environment and diet cause obesity and osteoarthritis in Xinjiang Uygur local patients, the number of patients became more. At present, more and more patients received artificial knee replacement. How to master and further apply the technology of soft tissue balance during artificial knee replacement in patients of different physical fitness and nations becomes the focus of many scholars. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the clinical efficacy of soft tissue balance in Xinjiang Uygur patients with knee valgus in total knee replacement. METHODS:A total of 60 cases (72 knees) with severe knee osteoarthritis with a certain degree of knee valgus were subjected to total knee replacement through anterior lateral approach and individualized soft tissue balance from February 2009 to December 2010. Folow-up mode was the clinic visit. X-ray was used to measure tibiofemoral angle (i.e., the supplementary angle of the included angle between anatomic axis of femur and tibia). Clinical score and functional score of American knee society knee score were applied to assess knee joint function. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 57 patients were folowed up for 6-35 months. The tibiofemoral angle decreased from 27.9° preoperatively to 5.6° postoperatively. Clinical score of American knee society knee score elevated from 16.7 points preoperatively to 87.5 postoperatively. Functional score of American knee society knee score elevated from 7.9 points preoperatively to 85.2 postoperatively. Significant differences in preoperative and final folow-up scores were detected (P < 0.01). Valgus deformity was corrected and joint stability was good in 57 patients after replacement. These findings indicate that in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis and valgus deformity, to select individualized treatment of soft tissue balance can effectively correct soft tissue imbalance and get more satisfactory clinical results.