Objective To analyze formation of the varus angle of the knee dueto osteoarthritis and to explore techniques of the soft tissue balance in the total knee arthroplasty(TKA). Methods One hundred patients with145 varus knees (18 males, 25 varus knees; 82 females, 120 varus knees) underwent TKA from January 1999 to December 2003. Their ages averaged 62.4 years (range, 45.80 years), and their HSS（hospital of special surgery）scores were 38.0±3.2 points. Before operation，all the patients were measured in the alignment of the lower extremity, accurate bonecutting was performed, and their static alignment was achieved. Then, the soft tissue release was made. The release performance consisted of 3 steps: release before the bone-cutting, release during the bone-cutting, and release after the bonecutting. Release of themedial ligament and capsule, elimination of the osteophytes, and release of thelateral patellar retinaculum were more important. Results The varus angles in these patients were 9.2±3.1° before operation. Among them,the varus angles caused by the soft tissue imbalance accounted for 53.2%，and caused by the bone structure accounted for 46.8%； and the latter caused by thetibia varus, 22.8%, and by the tibia plateau destruction, 24.0%. There was nosignificant difference between the varus angles caused by the soft tissue imbalance and the varus angles caused by the bone structure deformity (P＞0.05). According to the postoperative imaging studies, the correction degree for the varus angles by the bone-cutting was 4.3°, which represented 27.9% of the total corrected angles, and the correction degree for the varus angles corrected by the soft tissue balance was 10.7°, which represented 72.1% of the total corrected angles. The HSS scores were 87.0±4.5 points after operation, and the difference between preoperation and postoperation was significant. Conclusion The varus knee due to osteoarthritis results from the varus angle in the bone structure and the angles caused by the imbalance of the collateral ligaments and the soft tissues around the knee. The latter causative factor is more important in the formation of the varus knee and should only be corrected through the soft tissue release. The more important part to be released isthe attachments of the medial ligament and the posterior capsule. The release performance should be followed by the principles, i.e., step by step, tests at all the time, and avoidance of the excessive release.
Objective To assess the efficacy of medial wedged proximal tibial osteotomy for treating knee osteoarthritis with varus deformity. Methods From July 1996 to September 1999, 19 patients with knee osteoarthritis accompanied by varus deformity were treated by medial wedged proximal tibial osteotomy combined with internal fixation. Full-length anteriorposterior radiographs were taken preoperatively, 8 weeks and 2 years postoperatively. The parameters including the femorotibial angle, the tibial angle, the femoral angle, the femoral condyletibial plateau angle, and the medial joint space, were measured from these radiographs. The function of knee was evaluated according to the 100point rating scale standard of knee.Results Themean postoperative score had been significantly improved from 48.6±16.6 pointsto 81.7±14.8 points after 2 years of operation. The medial joint spacehad been increased from 2.2±1.6mm to 4.9±1.5 mm and the femoral condyle-tibial anglehad been decreased from 7.4°±3.1° to 1.7°± 3.1°. There were complications in 3 cases: 2 casesof superficial wound infections and 1 case of intraarticular fracture. There were no delayed union and recurrence of varus deformity. Conclusion Medial wedged proximal tibial osteotomy combined with internal fixation provides an efficacious approach to treat knee osteoarthritis with varus deformity.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of high tibial osteotomy (HTO) assisted by three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology for correction of varus knee with osteoarthritis. MethodBetween January 2014 and June 2015, 16 patients (20 knees) with varus knee and osteoarthritis underwent HTO assisted by 3-D printing technology; a locking compression plate was used for internal fixation after HTO. There were 6 males and 10 females, aged 30-60 years (mean, 45.5 years). The disease duration was 1-10 years (mean, 6.2 years). The unilateral knee was involved in 12 cases and bilateral knees in 4 cases. According to Koshino's staging system, 3 knees were classified as stage I, 7 knees as stage Ⅱ, 8 knees as stage Ⅲ, and 2 knees as stage IV. Preoperative Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score was 63.8±2.2; the femorotibial angle was (184.8±2.9) °; and Insall-Salvati index was 1.03±0.13. ResultsAll the wounds healed primarily, and no complication of infection, osteofacial compartment syndrom, or deep vein thrombosis was observed. All patients were followed up 6-18 months (mean, 12.6 months). Personal paralysis was observed in 1 case (1 knee), and was cured after expectant treatment. Bone union time was 2.7-3.4 months (mean, 2.9 months). At 6 months after operation, the femorotibial angle was (173.8±2.0) °, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=11.70, P=0.00) ; Insall-Salvati index was 1.04±0.12, showing no significant difference when compared with preoperative one (t=-0.20, P=0.85) ; and HSS knee score was significantly increased to 88.9±3.1 (t=-25.44, P=0.00) . At last follow-up, the results were excellent in 13 knees, good in 6 knees, fair in 1 knee, and the excellent and good rate was 95%. Conclusions3-D printing cutting block can greatly improve the accuracy of HTO, avoid repeated X-ray and multiple osteotomy, shorten the operation time, and ensure better effectiveness for correction of varus knee with osteoarthritis.
Objective To investigate whether different degrees of primary varus knee affect joint function and stability in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Methods A clinical data of 160 patients with primary varus knee, who were admitted between January 2020 and December 2021 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent primary ACL reconstruction using autologous single-bundle hamstring tendon. Patients were divided into three groups based on the hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA): group A (64 patients with HKA 0°-3°), group B (55 patients with HKA 3°-6°), and group C (41 patients with HKA 6°-9°). Except for the significant difference in HKA among the three groups (P<0.05), baseline data such as age, gender, affected side, body mass index, interval between injury and operation, Kellgren-Lawrence grading, posterior tibial slope, proportion of combined meniscal injuries, Tegner score, Lysholm score, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) objective score, anterior drawer test, Lachman test, pivot shift test, and the results of KT1000 (side-to-side difference, SSD) showed no significant difference (P>0.05). At last follow-up, joint stability was assessed through the anterior drawer test, Lachman test, pivot shift test, and SSD; joint function was evaluated using the Tegner score, Lysholm score, and IKDC objective score. Results All incisions in the three groups healed by first intention after operation. All patients were followed up 24-31 months, with an average of 26 months; there was no significant difference in the follow-up time among the three groups (Z=0.675, P=0.714). At last follow-up, the knee stability and functional assessment indicators in each group significantly improved when compared to preoperative ones (P<0.05); there was no significant difference among the three groups (P>0.05) in terms of the anterior drawer test, Lachman test, pivot shift test, IKDC objective scores, and the changes of the Lysholm scores and Tegner scores. The Kellgren-Lawrence grading and HKA at last follow-up were consistent with preoperative results in the three groups. ConclusionVarying degrees of primary varus knee do not affect early knee joint stability and functional recovery after ACL reconstruction, and there is no significant difference in effectiveness between different degrees of varus knee.