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GOOD IMPLANT ALIGNMENT LEADS TO FASTER REHABILITATION AND BETTER FUNCTION AFTER TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

38 Westfield Drive, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne. NE3 4XY.

The aim of this study was to identify what aspects of implant alignment and rotation affect functional outcome after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). 159 TKAs were performed at the Royal Perth Hospital between May 2003 and July 2004. All patients underwent an objective and independent clinical and radiological assessment before and after surgery. A CT scan was performed at six months. The alignment parameters that were measured included: sagital femoral, coronal femoral, rotational femoral, sagital tibial, coronal tibial and femoro-tibial mismatch. The cumulative error score, which represents the sum of the individual errors, was calculated. Functional outcome was measured using the Knee Society Score (KSS).

Good coronal femoral alignment was associated with better function at 1 year (p=0.013). Trends were identified for better function with good sagital and rotational femoral alignment and good sagital and coronal tibial alignment. Patients with a low cumulative error score had a better functional outcome (p=0.015). These patients rehabilitated more quickly and their length of stay in hospital was 2 days shorter.

Correspondence should be addressed to Mr K Deep, General Secretary CAOS UK, Dept of Orthopaedics, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Glasgow G81 4HX, Scotland. Email: caosuk{at}gmail.com