Abstract
Purpose
To compare the radiologic measurements of the mechanical axis and the implant position of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) using a computer-assisted navigation system with those using conventional TKA in varus deformity.
Materials and Methods
From January 2004 to January 2005, 49 TKAs using a CT-free navigation system (Vector Vision®, BrainLab, Heirnstetten, Germany) (Group I) and 24 TKAs using the conventional technique (Group II) were performed on patients who had a preoperative varus deformity >10°. The patients were also subdivided into two groups, patients with a varus deformity <20° (group A) and patients with varus deformity >20° (group B). The PFC Sigma implants were used in both groups. The mechanical axis and implant position were measured by 2 observers according to the reontgenographic evaluation system of the American Knee Society.
Results
There was no significant difference in α, β, δ angle and mechanical axis between group I and II. There was a significant difference in the γ angle between group I and II (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the α and β angle and mechanical axis between group IA and IB (p<0.05). There was a significant difference in the α angle and mechanical axis between group IIA and IIB (p<0.05). There was a positive correlation between the measured angle by the respective observers in all groups (p<0.05).
Conclusion
Patients with a preoperative varus deformity >20° tended to have more postoperative varus mechanical alignment than those with a preoperative varus deformity between 10° and 20° after TKA. More careful attention during the registration of the femoral mechanical axis should be paid in patients with a larger varus deformity in TKA using a computer-assisted navigation system. On the other hand, a reasonable mechanical valgus angle should be considered in femoral bone cutting for a varus deformity of the distal femur in conventional TKA. In addition, inadequate positioning of intramedullary rod should be recognized in conventional TKA.
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