Role of joint distraction in osteoarthritis of the knee: Basic science, principles and outcomes
Hamid Rahmatullah Bin Abd Razak1,2, João Pedro Campos1,3, Raghbir S Khakha1,4
1London Knee Osteotomy Centre, Orthopaedic Specialists, Harley Street Specialist Hospital, 18-22 Queen Anne St, London, W1G 8HU, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
The burden of knee osteoarthritis (OA) is increasing worldwide. Advanced tibiofemoral joint OA in young patients is particularly a problem with inferior results seen with total knee arthroplasty in this patient population. Knee joint distraction (KJD) has been evaluated recently as a joint preserving procedure for young patients with advanced tibiofemoral osteoarthritis, to delay the need for a primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). This will decrease the risk for revision TKA later in life. KJD temporarily unloads the knee joint and keeps the tibia and femur separated over a course of 6 weeks. Outcomes of KJD appear promising. Through this article, the authors hope to share from their collective experience as well as the available literature on the basic science, principles of surgery and outcomes of KJD.
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