Component gap control during posterior-stabilised total knee arthroplasty using the posterior condylar pre-cut...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Achieving equal flexion and extension gap lengths is crucial for successful total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
• Component gap (CG) control is a key factor in TKA outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of a novel pre-cut trial component (PCT) for component gap control in posterior-stabilised (PS) TKA.
• To determine if the pre-cut technique aids in achieving balanced knee joint stability during PS TKA.

Main Methods:

• A case series involving 70 knees undergoing PS TKA.
• Utilized a novel PS PCT with specific dimensions and a cam structure.
• Compared component gaps at 0° and 90° flexion using the PS PCT and final trial components.

Main Results:

• Component gaps measured with the PS PCT were 10.2 mm (0°) and 13.6 mm (90°).
• Final extension gap (11.3 mm) closely matched the PS PCT gap.
• Final flexion gap (12.7 mm) was comparable to the estimated gap (12.4 mm) using the PS PCT.

Conclusions:

• The pre-cut trial component (PCT) technique provides reliable component gap control during posterior-stabilised total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
• This method facilitates achieving balanced joint kinematics essential for optimal TKA function.