Common controversies in total knee replacement surgery: Current evidence.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Medicine

Background:

• Total knee replacement (TKR) significantly improves quality of life for millions.
• Several surgical and rehabilitation techniques following TKR remain subjects of debate.
• Orthopedic surgeons face persistent dilemmas regarding optimal TKR procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the best available evidence from the last decade on controversial TKR topics.
• To provide insights into debated aspects of total knee arthroplasty.
• To address key controversies in TKR surgery and post-operative care.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of the literature.
• Inclusion of high-quality evidence from the past decade.
• Focus on controversial subjects in total knee replacement.

Main Results:

• Evidence regarding posterior-stabilized vs. cruciate-retaining prostheses is controversial.
• The use of tourniquets and patellar resurfacing present conflicting data.
• The necessity of continuous passive motion in rehabilitation remains debated.

Conclusions:

• Current evidence on key TKR controversies is highly conflicting.
• Larger, high-quality trials are needed for definitive answers in knee arthroplasty.
• Meticulous surgical technique, soft tissue management, and alignment are vital for optimal TKR outcomes.