Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

The collateral ligament flexion-extension test (CLEFT) in total knee replacement

R Johnson1, K Barry, M A Elloy

  • 1Knee Research Unit, Arrowe Park Hospital, Upton, Wirral, Merseyside, UK.

Journal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh
|April 1, 1994
PubMed
Summary

The collateral ligament extension-flexion test (CLEFT) predicts knee ligament balance before total knee arthroplasty. This simple test identifies knees that won't need soft tissue adjustment, even with significant deformities.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Three pairs of fungal Trametes strains isolated from distinct geographic origins show conserved genomic features and adaptive response to plant biomass.

Bioresource technology·2026
Same author

The RCSI curriculum for robotic surgery training - setting the standard for future minimally invasive surgeons.

The surgeon : journal of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Ireland·2025
Same author

Robotic surgery in Ireland: national governance framework and a guide to good practice.

The surgeon : journal of the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Ireland·2025
Same author

Letter to the editor - Evaluating the rigour and application of phenomenological studies in medical radiation science research.

Radiography (London, England : 1995)·2025
Same author

Section-level genome sequencing and comparative genomics of <i>Aspergillus</i> sections <i>Cavernicolus</i> and <i>Usti</i>.

Studies in mycology·2025
Same author

Beyond technical proficiency: A scoping review of the role of soft skills in medical radiation science.

Radiography (London, England : 1995)·2025

Area of Science:

  • Orthopedic Surgery
  • Biomechanics

Background:

  • Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) often addresses valgus or varus deformities.
  • Accurate assessment of collateral ligament balance is crucial for successful TKA outcomes.
  • Preoperative planning aims to minimize intraoperative soft tissue releases.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To introduce and validate the collateral ligament extension-flexion test (CLEFT) as a simple preoperative clinical assessment.
  • To determine if CLEFT can reliably predict the need for soft tissue adjustment in TKAs with preoperative deformities.
  • To evaluate the test's ability to identify knees where bony correction suffices.

Main Methods:

  • The CLEFT was prospectively applied to 44 consecutive TKA patients with >10 degrees valgus or varus deformity in extension.

Related Experiment Videos

  • The test assesses if a deformity corrects in flexion.
  • Correlation between CLEFT results and intraoperative need for collateral ligament release was analyzed.

    • Main Results:

    • The CLEFT was positive in 34 patients, none of whom required ipsilateral collateral ligament release.
    • All 10 patients with a negative CLEFT result required soft tissue adjustment.
    • The test demonstrated high sensitivity in predicting balanced collateral ligaments.

    Conclusions:

    • The CLEFT is a reliable and simple preoperative test for assessing collateral ligament balance in TKA.
    • It accurately predicts which knees with deformity can be managed with bone cuts alone, avoiding soft tissue release.
    • The findings support prioritizing bony resection over soft tissue adjustment when indicated by the CLEFT.