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A Soft-Tissue Release Technique for TKA

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc; ePub 2016 Mar 3; Boettner, et al

Release of the iliotibial band and posterolateral corner provided excellent clinical results at a minimum 2-year follow-up and can be used safely for a "cookbook" approach to the valgus knee with up to 25° mechanical valgus alignment. This according to a study of 164 patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty by a single surgeon. Researchers found:

• Range of motion (ROM) increased from a preoperative flexion contracture of 4.7° and flexion of 110° to a postoperative mean flexion contracture of 0.1° and flexion of 128°.

• Mean hip-knee-ankle alignment was changed from 8.4° of mechanical valgus to 0.02° of varus alignment.

• Tibia component angle (MPTA) was 90.4°.

• WOMAC score, VF-12, UCLA and VAS significantly improved after surgery.

• 2 patients underwent revision surgery for instability.

Citation: Boettner F, Renner L, Arana Narbarte D, Egidy C, Faschingbauer M. Total knee arthroplasty for valgus osteoarthritis: the results of a standardized soft-tissue release technique. [Published online ahead of print March 3, 2016]. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. doi:10.1007/s00167-016-4054-9.