Postoperative Limb Alignment after Total Knee Arthroplasty Depending on the Severity of the Varus Knee

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We wanted to evaluate the clinical and radiographic results of total knee arthroplasty according to the preoperative varus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2003 to October 2005, we performed 53 total knee arthroplasties in 38 patients who had varus deformity of more than 10 degrees of the femorotibial angle. The minimum follow-up period was 2 years. According to the severity of the varus deformity, the patients were classified to three groups patients with a varus deformity 10 to 15degrees (group I, 38 cases), patients with a varus deformity 15 to 20degrees (group II, 7 cases) and patients with a varus deformity more than 20degrees (group III, 8 cases). RESULTS: The mean preoperative HSS scores were 61.0, 57.6 and 55.6 in groups I, II and III, respectively. The mean HSS scores of the each group were 97.5, 96.1 and 96.8, respectively, at the last follow-up (p=0.728). The mean preoperative range of motion of the each group was 118.7degrees, 121.3degrees and 102.5degrees, respectively, and the ROM was 131.8degrees, 130.0degrees and 128. 3degrees, respectively, at the last follow-up (p=0.932). The mean preoperative femorotibial angle of the each group was -12.1degrees, -16.6degrees and -23.8degrees, respectively, and 4.8degrees, 3.0degrees and 2.1degrees, respectively, at the last follow-up (p=0.021). CONCLUSION: Correction of deformity and restoration of the limb alignment provides satisfactory clinical and radiographic results for patient with varus deformity. The postoperative alignment of the residual varus deformity tended to be within the permissible range.