Good alignment after total knee arthroplasty leads to faster rehabilitation and better function

The aim of this study was to identify what aspects of implant alignment and rotation affect functional outcome after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). One hundred and fifty-nine total knee arthroplasties were performed at the authors' institution between May 2003 and July 2004. All patients underwent an objective and independent clinical and radiological assessment before and after surgery. A computed tomography scan was performed at 6 months. The alignment parameters that were measured included sagittal femoral, coronal femoral, rotational femoral, sagittal tibial, coronal tibial, and femorotibial mismatch. The cumulative error score, which represents the sum of the individual errors, was calculated. Functional outcome was measured using the Knee Society Score. Good coronal femoral alignment was associated with better function at 1 year (P = .013). Trends were identified for better function with good sagittal and rotational femoral alignment and good sagittal and coronal tibial alignment. Patients with a low cumulative error score had a better functional outcome (P = .015). These patients rehabilitated more quickly and their length of stay in hospital was 2 days shorter.