[Soft-tissue management in primary knee arthroplasty: common techniques, navigation and force-sensing devices]

Soft-tissue management is essential for the outcome in total knee arthroplasty. In combination with osseous resections and component positioning, correction of the underlying ligamentous dysbalance should yield a stable joint throughout the flexion arc. Different "philosophies" with regard to technique, timing and tactics in ligament balancing are described. So far, surgeons have not been provided with standardised devices that allow the objective measurement of this complex issue. Moreover, knowledge concerning the "ideal" soft-tissue stability following knee arthroplasty is still sparse. As part of the scientific project "OrthoMIT" (minimal invasive orthopaedic therapy) an approach to combine conventional soft-tissue management with navigation and force-sensing devices should be realized technically. The aim is to develop an instrument for the objective measurement of soft-tissue management in scientific and clinical applications.