Ligament balancing in TKA: Evaluation of a force-sensing device and the influence of patellar eversion and ligament release

Crottet, Denis; Kowal, Jens; Sarfert, Sven A; Maeder, Thomas; Bleuler, Hannes; Nolte, Lutz-P; Dürselen, Lutz (2007). Ligament balancing in TKA: Evaluation of a force-sensing device and the influence of patellar eversion and ligament release. Journal of biomechanics, 40(8), pp. 1709-15. New York, N.Y.: Elsevier 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2006.08.004

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Ligament balancing in total knee arthroplasty may have an important influence on joint stability and prosthesis lifetime. In order to provide quantitative information and assistance during ligament balancing, a device that intraoperatively measures knee joint forces and moments was developed. Its performance and surgical advantages were evaluated on six cadaver specimens mounted on a knee joint loading apparatus allowing unconstrained knee motion as well as compression and varus-valgus loading. Four different experiments were performed on each specimen. (1) Knee joints were axially loaded. Comparison between applied and measured compressive forces demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of in situ measurements (1.8N). (2) Assessment of knee stability based on condyle contact forces or varus-valgus moments were compared to the current surgical method (difference of varus-valgus loads causing condyle lift-off). The force-based approach was equivalent to the surgical method while the moment-based, which is considered optimal, showed a tendency of lateral imbalance. (3) To estimate the importance of keeping the patella in its anatomical position during imbalance assessment, the effect of patellar eversion on the mediolateral distribution of tibiofemoral contact forces was measured. One fourth of the contact force induced by the patellar load was shifted to the lateral compartment. (4) The effect of minor and major medial collateral ligament releases was biomechanically quantified. On average, the medial contact force was reduced by 20% and 46%, respectively. Large variation among specimens reflected the difficulty of ligament release and the need for intraoperative force monitoring. This series of experiments thus demonstrated the device's potential to improve ligament balancing and survivorship of total knee arthroplasty.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

04 Faculty of Medicine > Pre-clinic Human Medicine > Institute for Surgical Technology & Biomechanics ISTB [discontinued]

UniBE Contributor:

Crottet, Denis, Nolte, Lutz-Peter

ISSN:

0021-9290

ISBN:

17094997

Publisher:

Elsevier

Language:

English

Submitter:

Factscience Import

Date Deposited:

04 Oct 2013 14:49

Last Modified:

05 Dec 2022 14:15

Publisher DOI:

10.1016/j.jbiomech.2006.08.004

PubMed ID:

17094997

Web of Science ID:

000247191500008

URI:

https://boris.unibe.ch/id/eprint/20488 (FactScience: 3960)

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