Feasibility of posterior composite release of the knee joint after total knee arthroplasty / 中国组织工程研究

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND:Knee osteoarthritis can be treated by total knee arthroplasty. To improve therapeutic effect and promote postoperative recovery, we should take effective measures to improve the joint space and postoperative range of motion. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effectiveness and feasibility of posterior composite release of the knee joint after total knee arthroplasty. METHODS:118 knee osteoarthritis patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty in two hospitals from December 2009 to December 2013 were selected, and were randomly divided into control group (59 cases) and observation group (59 cases). After osteotomy during operation, the control group underwent bone removal of conventional condylar hyperplasia. Observation group underwent posterior composite release of the knee joint. Postoperative extension, flexion gap and the time required for postoperative active flexion 90° and 120° were observed in the two groups. Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score and maximum flexion angle were recorded in 3 months of fol ow up, and compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Through the statistics and comparison, no significant difference in flexion gap was found between the two groups (P>0.05). However, significant differences in extension gap, the time for active flexion 90° and 120°and the maximum flexion angle were detectable between the two groups, and above indexes were better in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). Hospital for Special Surgery Knee Score of each index and total score were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.05). These results suggest that rear joint composite release after total knee arthroplasty has certain validity and feasibility, can effectively improve knee extensor gap and the postoperative range of motion during replacement, but does not impact flexion gap during replacement.