A new method to measure ligament balancing . How balanced are total knee arthroplasties?

Background: Ligament balancing is considered a prerequisite for good function and survival in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there is no consensus on how to measure ligament balance intra-operatively and the degree of stability obtained after different balancing techniques is not clarified.
Purpose: This study presents a new method to measure ligament balancing in TKA and report on the results of a try-out of this method in 70 ligament balanced knees and in 30 knees where ligament balancing was considered unnecessary.

Methods: After implantation of the prosthesis spatulas of different thickness were used to measure medial and lateral condylar lift-off in flexion and extension.

Publications

Aunan E, Kibsgård T, Clarke-Jenssen J, Röhrl SM
A new method to measure ligament balancing in total knee arthroplasty: laxity measurements in 100 knees
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg (in press)
PubMed 22581351

 
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