Comparison of Posterior Cruciate Retaining & Substituting Total Knee Arthroplasty in Varus Deformity of Knee

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of posterior cruciate ligament retaining total knee arthroplasty on its clinical results in patients with varus deformity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed clinical and radiologic results of the 61 cases (39 patients) with varus deformity more than 15 degrees retrospectively. The average follow up period was 6.1 years (range, 5~8 years old). The cases were divided into posterior cruciate ligament retaining group A (42 cases) and substituted group B (19 cases). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups in Knee Society knee score (A group 88.1, B group 88.9), functional score (A group 79.3, B group 75.6) activity level (A group 67.5, B group 62.5), flexion contracture (A group 4.5 degree, B group 4.9 degree), tibiofemoral angle (A group 4.7 degree, B group 5.2 degree) and roentgenographic findings. Patients with PCL retaining knees showed significantly increased activity levels in going up and down stairs, and walking. CONCLUSION: It is considered that the preservation of the posterior cruciate ligament is better than the substitution of the ligament if technical problems are solved.