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Does varus alignment adversely affect implant survival and function six years after kinematically aligned total knee
Stephen M Howell1,2,3, Stelios Papadopoulos4,5,6,7, Kyle Kuznik4,5,6,7
1Biomedical Engineering Graduate Group, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, 95616, USA. sebhowell@mac.com.
International Orthopaedics
|April 1, 2015
Summary
Kinematic alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) shows excellent implant survival and function. Varus alignment of the tibial component, knee, or limb did not negatively impact outcomes at six years.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomedical Engineering
- Reconstructive Surgery
Background:
- Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common procedure for osteoarthritis.
- Kinematic alignment aims to replicate natural joint mechanics.
- Assessing the long-term effects of kinematic alignment is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate six-year implant survivorship and function after kinematically aligned TKA.
- To test if varus alignment of tibial component, knee, or limb affects TKA survival and function.
- To compare outcomes between kinematically aligned and in-range alignments.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of 214 patients (219 knees) undergoing kinematically aligned TKA.
- Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and revision rate per 100 component years for implant failure.
- Oxford Knee Score and WOMAC score assessed patient function.
Main Results:
- Implant survivorship was 97.5% at a mean of 6.3 years.
- Revision rate was 0.40 per 100 component years.
- Varus alignment in tibial components, knees, and limbs showed similar function to in-range alignments.
Conclusions:
- Kinematically aligned TKA demonstrates robust implant survival and function at six years.
- Varus alignment did not adversely affect implant survival or functional outcomes.
- Kinematic alignment is a viable alternative to mechanical alignment for primary TKA.
