Objective To evaluate the early effectiveness of navigation-free robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to traditional TKA in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities. Methods The clinical data of 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities who met the selection criteria between June 2019 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifteen patients underwent CORI navigation-free robot-assisted TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (robot group) and 15 patients underwent traditional TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (traditional group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, affected knee side, extra-articular deformity angle, deformity position, deformity type, and preoperative knee range of motion, American Knee Society (KSS) knee score and KSS function score, and lower limb alignment deviation between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications of the two groups were recorded and compared. The knee range of motion and lower limb alignment deviation were recorded before operation and at 6 months after operation, and the knee joint function was evaluated by KSS knee score and function score. Results There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups (P>0.05); the intraoperative blood loss in the robot group was significantly less than that in the traditional group (P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 8.7 months. The incisions of all patients healed well, and there was no postoperative complication such as thrombosis or infection. At 6 months after operation, X-ray examination showed that the position of the prosthesis was good in both groups, and there was no loosening or dislocation of the prosthesis. The knee joint range of motion, the lower limb alignment deviation, and the KSS knee score and KSS function score significantly improved in both groups (P<0.05) compared to preoperative ones. The changes of lower limb alignment deviation and KSS function score between pre- and post-operation in the robot group were significantly better than those in the traditional group (P<0.05), while the changes of other indicators between pre- and post-operation in the two groups were not significant (P>0.05). Conclusion Compared to traditional TKA, navigation-free robot-assisted TKA for knee osteoarthritis with extra-articular deformities results in less intraoperative blood loss, more precise reconstruction of lower limb alignment, and better early effectiveness. However, long-term effectiveness require further investigation.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of lateral condyle sliding osteotomy (LCSO) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the treatment of lateral femoral bowing deformity. Methods The clinical data of 17 patients with lateral femoral bowing deformity treated by LCSO during TKA between July 2018 and July 2020 was retrospectively analysed. There were 3 males and 14 females, with an average of 63.2 years (range, 58-68 years). The etiology of lateral femoral bowing deformity included 12 cases of femoral developmental deformity and 5 cases of femoral fracture malunion. Kellgren-Lawrence classification of knee osteoarthritis was 4 cases of grade Ⅲ and 13 cases of grade Ⅳ. The preoperative hip-knee shaft was 9.5°-12.5° (mean, 10.94°). The disease duration was 3-25 years (mean, 15.1 years). The mechanical lateral distal femur angle (mLDFA), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), and mechanical axis deviation (MAD) of the distal femur were measured before operation and at last follow-up to evaluate the correction of extra-articular deformities in the joints and the recovery of mechanical force lines of the lower extremities. The knee society score (KSS) knee score and function score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, knee joint range of motion (ROM) were used to evaluate effectiveness. The knee varus/valgus stress test and osteotomy healing by X-ray films were performed to evaluate the joint stability and the safety of LCSO. Results All incisions of the patients healed by first intention after operation, and there was no early postoperative complication such as infection of the incision and deep vein thrombosis of the lower extremities. All 17 patients were followed up 12-36 months, with an average of 23.9 months. The osteotomy slices all achieved bony healing, and the healing time was 2-5 months, with an average of 3.1 months. After operation, the knee varus/valgus stress tests were negative, and there was no relaxation and rupture of the lateral collateral ligament, instability of the knee joint, loosening, revision and infection of the prosthesis occurred. At last follow-up, mLDFA, HKA, MAD, knee ROM, VAS score, KSS knee score and function score significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P<0.05). Conclusion LCSO is effective and safe in TKA with lateral femoral bowing deformity. Extra-articular deformities are corrected intra-articularly. The mechanical force line and joint balance of the lower extremities can be restored simultaneously in an operation.
Objective To discuss shortterm effect of rotating hinge knee prosthesis. Methods From July 2002 to April 2005, 17 cases of severe knee joint deformity and instability received rotating hinge knee prosthesis for total knee arthroplasty. There were 8 males and 9 females, aging from 41 to 79 years. The left joints were involved in 10 cases and right joint in 7 cases. All patients were admitted because of pain. The course of disease was from 1 to 7 years. There were 10 cases of osteoarthritis，5 cases of rheumatoid arthritis，1 case of traumatic arthritis after operation of left femur fracture，and 1 case of traumatic arthritis with injury of anterior cruciate ligament, meniscus medialis and medial collateral ligament after operation of left fracture of tibial plateau. According to HSS(hospital for special surgery) scoring system，the preoperative score was 36 to 58 with an average of 48.6. The preoperative flexed motion range of articulation was 21° to 80° with an average of 57.4°. Results All patients were followed up from 7 months to 3 years with an average of 23.6 months. There were no complications of thrombogenesis of veins of lower extremity, pulmonary embolism, palsy of peroneal nerve, fracture, and breakage of extended knee structure. Infection occurred in 1 case at 3 months postoperatively，the prosthesis was dislodged，antibiotic-impregnated cement was filed with knee joint，twostage arthroplasty was expected. At the last follow-up,the HSS score was 78 to 98 with an average of 91.1 in 16 patients. The flexed motion range of articulation was 75° to 100° with an average of 852° at 2 weeks postoperatively. The flexed motionrange of articular was 85° to 123° with an average of 1083° at the last followup. There were significant differences in HSS score and motion range of articular between preoperation and thelast follow-up (P＜0.05). Conclusion The short-term outcome of rotating hinge knee prosthesis is good and a long term followup is necessary.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of the shared decision-making scheme in postoperative out-of-hospital extended care for patients with total hip/knee arthroplasty (THA/TKA). Methods Patients who underwent THA/TKA in the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between October 2023 and April 2024 were included using convenience sampling. Patients were divided into the control group (odd-numbered dates) and the intervention group (even-numbered dates) based on the surgical dates. The intervention group was received care guided by a shared decision-making protocol, whereas the control group was followed the standard post-arthroplasty follow-up procedures. Differences between the two groups were compared in terms of decision-making capacity, decision satisfaction, and hip/knee function at the following time points: on the day of discharge, 3 weeks after discharge, 2 months after discharge, and 3 months after discharge. Results A total of 118 patients were included, with 59 cases in each group. There were no significant differences in demographic and clinical characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05). In terms of decision-making, compared with the control group, the experimental group had stronger decision-making ability, lower decision-making conflict, and more satisfaction with the decision-making process (P<0.05). In terms of joint function, the experimental group showed better joint function than the control group at 3 weeks, 2 months, and 3 months after surgery (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the pain dimension of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index between the two groups (P=0.199). Conclusions Compared with the traditional follow-up protocol, the shared decision-making protocol can enhance patient engagement in medical decision-making, reduce decisional conflict, improve satisfaction with the decision-making process, and simultaneously promote joint functional recovery and expedite the rehabilitation process.
ObjectiveTo summarize the research progress of the difference between high-flexion prosthesis and conventional prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty, so as to offer a reference for clinical choice of prosthesis. MethodsThe relevant literature on high-flexion prosthesis and conventional prosthesis in recent years was extensively reviewed and analyzed. ResultsThere are some controversies in range of motion and complications between high-flexion prosthesis and conventional prosthesis; while no obvious difference is found in knee function and satisfaction. ConclusionComprehensive evaluation should be considered when high-flexion prosthesis is selected; and the effectiveness needs further follow-up.
Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the midvastus approach in total knee arthroplasty. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, and CBM to identify clinical controlled trials comparing the midvastus approach with the medial parapatellar approach in total knee arthroplasty. The quality of the included studies was critically assessed and the data analyses were performed by the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 5.0. Results Eight studies were included, involving 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 2 quasi-RCTs and 2 non-RCTs. Meta-analyses showed that rate of lateral retinacular release (RR=0.75, 95%CI 0.52 to 1.08, P=0.12), range of motion at 6 week postoperation (MD=2.65, 95%CI –1.20 to 6.50, P=0.18), operation time (MD=1.04, 95%CI –3.50 to 5.58), and adverse events postoperation (OR=1.04, 95%CI 0.43 to 2.52, P=0.94) were similar between the midvastus approach and the medial parapatellar approach in total knee arthroplasty. One study showed that there was no significant difference in blood loss interoperation between the two approaches, and two showed that the midvastus approach had less blood loss interoperation than the medial parapatellar approach. There was no statistical analysis about the blood loss interoperation in one study. For the time of straight leg raise, there was no significant difference in two studies. But in one study, it showed that patients needed longer time for straight leg raise. Conclusion Based on the current evidence, the midvastus approach for total knee arthroplasty is as safe and effective as the medial parapatellar approach, but blood loss interoperation and time of straight leg raise are not decided. Due to the poor quality of the included trials, more high-quality RCTs are needed.
ObjectiveTo investigate the accuracy, safety, and short-term effectiveness of a domestic robot-assisted system in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Methods Between December 2021 and February 2023, 138 patients with knee osteoarthritis who received TKA in 5 clinical centers were prospectively collected, and 134 patients met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned to either a trial group (n=68) or a control group (n=66). Seven patients had lost follow-up and missing data, so they were excluded and the remaining 127 patients were included for analysis, including 66 patients in the trial group and 61 patients in the control group. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in gender, age, body mass index, side, duration of osteoarthritis, Kellgren-Lawrence grading, preoperative Knee Society Score (KSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score between the two groups. The trial group completed the TKA by domestic robot-assisted osteotomy according to the preoperative CT-based surgical planning. The control group was performed by traditional osteotomy plate combined with soft tissue release. Total operation time, osteotomy time of femoral/tibial side, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications were recorded and compared between the two groups. The radiographs were taken at 5 and 90 days after operation, and hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), lateral distal angle of femur (LDFA), and posterior tibial slope (PTS) were measured. The difference between the measured values of the above indexes at two time points after operation and the preoperative planning target values was calculated, and the absolute value (absolute error) was taken for comparison between the two groups. The postoperative recovery of lower limb alignment was judged and the accuracy was calculated. KSS score and WOMAC score were used to evaluate the knee joint function of patients before operation and at 90 days after operation. The improvement rates of KSS score and WOMAC score were calculated. The function, stability, and convenience of the robot-assisted system were evaluated by the surgeons. ResultsThe total operation time and femoral osteotomy time of the trial group were significantly longer than those of the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the tibial osteotomy time and the amount of intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05). The incisions of both groups healed by first intention after operation, and there was no infection around the prosthesis. Nine patients in the trial group and 8 in the control group developed lower extremity vascular thrombosis, all of which were calf intermuscular venous thrombosis, and there was no significant difference in the incidence of complications (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 90 days. There was no significant difference in KSS score and WOMAC score between the two groups at 90 days after operation (P>0.05). There was significant difference in the improvement rate of KSS score between the two groups (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in the improvement rate of WOMAC score between the two groups (P>0.05). Radiological results showed that the absolute errors of HKA and LDFA in the trial group were significantly smaller than those in the control group at 5 and 90 days after operation (P<0.05), and the recovery accuracy of lower limb alignment was significantly higher than that in control group (P<0.05). The absolute error of PTS in the trial group was significantly smaller than that in the control group at 5 days after operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference at 90 days between the two groups (P>0.05). The functional satisfaction rate of the robot-assisted system was 98.5% (65/66), and the satisfaction rates of stability and convenience were 100% (66/66). ConclusionDomestic robot-assisted TKA is a safe and effective surgical treatment for knee osteoarthritis, which can achieve favorable lower limb alignment reconstruction, precise implant of prosthesis, and satisfactory functional recovery.
Objective To investigate a modified robotized hydraulictensor for management of the ligament balance in the total knee arthroplasty. Methods The effect of the modified robotized hydraulic tensor on the mechanical behaviour of the ligament system balance in the total knee arthroplasty was analyzed andthe related information was obtained. Results The robotized hydraulic tensor acted as a tensorsensor system, which could assist the surgeon by providing thequantitative information to align the lower limb in extension, equalize the articular spaces in extension and flexion, balance the internal and external forces, and define the femoral component rotation, and by providing the information toplan the releasing of the soft tissues and the rotating of the femoral component. Conclusion The modified robotized hydraulic tensor can enable the surgeon to properly manage the ligament balance in the total knee arthroplasty.
ObjectiveTo compare the effectiveness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the treatment of severe medial compartment osteoarthritis (OA).MethodsA clinical data of 69 patients (69 knees), who underwent joint replacement due to severe medial compartment OA between February 2015 and September 2018 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 38 cases were treated with UKA (UKA group) and 31 cases with TKA (TKA group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, course of disease, lesion side, and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, Feller score, range of motion of knee, physiological and psychological scores of short-form 12 health survey scale (SF-12) between the two groups (P>0.05). The femorotibial angle (FTA) of TKA group was bigger than that of UKA group, and hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) was smaller, showing significant differences (P<0.05). The operative time, incision length, blood loss, time for flexion 90°, ambulation time, hospital stay, and incidence of deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity were recorded and compared between the two groups. The VAS score, HSS score, WOMAC score, Feller score, range of motion, and physiological and psychological scores of SF-12 were used to evaluate patients’ quality of life. FTA, HKA, and prosthesis looseness were observed by X-ray films. Kaplan-Merier survival analysis was used to evaluate the survival rate of prosthesis.ResultsAll operations were successfully completed in both groups. Compared with TKA group, UKA group had shorter incision length, longer operative time, and less blood loss (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in time for flexion 90°, ambulation time, hospital stay, and the incidence of deep venous thrombosis of lower extremity between the two groups (P>0.05). The incisions in both groups healed by first intention. During follow-up, 3 patients in the UKA group and 1 patient in the TKA group developed mild anterior knee pain. Patients were followed up (30.7±9.6) months in the UKA group and (34.9±8.7) months in the TKA group, and the difference was not significant (t=–1.832, P=0.071). At last follow-up, there were significant differences in the HSS score, Feller score, WOMAC score, range of motion, VAS score, and physiological and psychological scores of SF-12 between pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). The range of motion in the UKA group was bigger than that in the TKA group (Z=–2.666, P=0.008), and there was no significant difference in the other indexes between the two groups (P>0.05). X-ray films showed that the alignment of the two groups recovered well, and the FTA and HKA of the two groups were improved at 1 week after operation (P<0.05). No radiolucency was found around the prosthesis during follow-up, no prosthesis loosening and meniscal bearing dislocation occurred. The survival rates of the prostheses in the two groups were 100%.ConclusionFor severe medial compartment OA, the early survival rates of the two prostheses are similar, but UKA has less traumatic, can preserve the normal structure of the knee, and the range of motion of the knee after operation is significantly better than TKA.
Objective To assess the feasibility, safety, and validity of the TC-Dynamic posterior stabilized prosthesis implanted in the total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Twelve knees of 10 patients (the TC-Dynamic group) were followed up, who had been implanted with the TC-Dynamic posterior stabilized prosthesis from September 2003 to March 2004. Preoperative KSS knee scores were 16.08±11.58, function scores 13.75±19.79, and the range of motion (ROM) of the knee 75.00±26.46°. Meanwhile, 50 knees of 30 patients (the Scorpio group) werefollowed up, who had undergone TKA with the Scorpio posterior stabilized prosthesis.Preoperative KSS knee scores were 19.48±967, function scores 3.16±19.82,andthe ROM of the knee 80.80±22.82°. The anteroposterior and lateral X-ray filmsof each knee were examined before and after operation. The statistical Z-test was used to analyze the differences between the 2 groups in the improvement of the KSS knee scores, function scores, and ROM after operation. Results The average of the 130 days’ follow-up revealed that the patients implanted with the TC-Dynamic prosthesis had an excellent result. In the TC-Dynamic group, the KSS knee scores were 88.83±4.04 with improved scores of 72.75±14.47 compared with those before operation; function scores were 79.17±5.15 with improved scores of 65.42±19.47; the ROM of the knee was 107.92±11.57° with increased degrees of 32.92±32.22°.Meanwhile, in the Scorpio group, the KSS knee scores were 85.68±7.36 with improved scores of 66.20±10.44 compared with those before operation; function scores were 71.40±12.70 with improved scores of 68.24±25.35; the ROM of the knee was 109.20±11.13° withincreaseddegrees of 28.40±26.41°.There was no significant difference in the improvement of the KSS knee scores, function scores, and ROM after operation between the 2 groups （Pgt;0.01）. All the X-ray films of the knees implanted with both the Scorpio prosthesis and the TC-Dynamic prosthesis were analyzed.No malalignment or lucent line with the prosthesis was seen in all these X-ray films. Conclusion The short-term follow-up indicates that the patients implanted with the TC-Dynamic prosthesis have an excellent result. The TC-Dynamic prosthesis with a scientific and proper design is more suitable for the Chinese. However, the long-term outcome of the patients implanted with the TC-Dynamic prosthesis should be observed in a larger number of TKA operations. The basic surgical principles, including excision of both the cruciate ligaments and correction of thebone deformity with the proper balancing of the soft tissues in flexion and extension, are still crucial to successful TKA and to the longterm high survivalrate of the knee prosthesis.