A comparison of kneeling ability after lateral or midline incisions in total knee arthroplasty

Kneeling is often impaired following total knee replacement. There is no clinical study comparing a lateral to a midline skin incision with regard to kneeling. Patients with a well-functioning total knee replacement enrolled in the trial. The participants with a lateral skin incision were matched with those with a standard midline incision. Twenty-two patients were enrolled in the study: 10 had a lateral skin incision, and 12 had a midline incision. Those with a lateral skin incision had a significantly higher Forgotten Joint Score than with a midline skin incision (Difference of Means Lateral vs Midline = 10.9 [p value 0.0098]), and an improved ability to kneel at 110 degrees of flexion (Kneeling Ability Test; Difference of Means Lateral vs Midline = 41.7 [p value 0.020]). These results suggest that a lateral skin incision may provide reduced joint awareness and improved kneeling ability. Further investigation with a randomised controlled trial is needed.