Total knee arthroplasty in patients with angular varus or valgus deformities of > or = 20 degrees

Of 8,014 surgeries between January 1986 and August 2000, 82 primary total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) were performed on 75 patients with severe preoperative varus or valgus deformity of greater than or equal to 20 degrees with a minimum 2-year follow-up time and a posterior cruciate retaining prosthesis. This study was designed to determine whether these patients (group A) could be as successful, using a Knee Society score (KSS) and alignment, as a matched control group (group B). There was no statistical difference in knee score, alignment, or revision. One revision was performed among the severely deformed. Knees that had severe angular deformities performed as well as deformity-free TKAs. Patients with excessive deformity should not be excluded from surgical correction solely based on this deformity.