Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 1, 2026
In Vitro Application of a Wireless Sensor in Flexion-Extension Gap Balance of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Published on: May 5, 2023
Pre-operative frontal plane malalignment predicts the extension gap asymmetry in knee osteoarthritis
Georg Matziolis1, Doerte Matziolis, Carsten Perka
1Orthopedic Department, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. Georg.Matziolis@Charite.de
Purpose:
In contrast to bone cuts, soft-tissue releases cannot be planned sufficiently prior to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Intra-operative evaluation of the extension gap after tibial or femoral resection may result in an unnecessarily excessive bone resection. The present study examines whether extension gap asymmetry can be calculated from the pre-operative long standing X-ray.
Methods:
In this retrospective study, 32 patients with navigated unconstrained TKA were included. The pre-operative malalignment was measured on long standing X-rays and compared with the extension gap asymmetry that was documented by the navigation system intra-operatively.
Results:
The mean pre-operative malalignment was 9.8° (20° valgus to 14.8° varus). The intra-operatively measured extension gap showed a mean asymmetry of 3.4 ± 2.4 mm. Both correlated following the equation: asymmetry [mm] = 0.35 * malalignment [°] (R = 0.855, P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
We recommend planning the intra-operative release and tibial bone cut using long standing X-rays.