Gap Discrepancy in Posterior Cruciate Ligament-Sacrificing Total Knee Joint Arthroplasty

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) resection on the flexion and extension gap during TKA (total knee joint arthroplasty). MATERIALS AND METHODS: From December 2002 to August 2003, we quantitatively measured and ana-lyzed prospectively the flexion and extension gap before and after PCL resection during TKA in 26 cases among 23 patients of osteoarthritis. A tensioning device was used to measure the gap and a torque wrench attached to the device was used to apply constant force. RESULTS: Before resection, the average flexion gap was 24.9 mm and the average extension gap was 25.3 mm. After resection, the average flexion gap was 29.8 mm and average extension gap was 27.6 mm. The extension gap was increased 2.2 mm and the flexion gap was increased 4.9 mm which implies that using a thicker polyethylene insert would be favorable after PCL resection. CONCLUSION: After PCL resection, both flexion and extension gaps were increased but the flexion gap was increased more than the extension gap.