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
A new method to measure ligament balancing in total knee arthroplasty: laxity measurements in 100 knees
Arch Orthop Trauma Surg (in press)
PubMed 22581351