title: [Navigated implantation of total knee endoprostheses in secondary knee osteoarthritis of rheumatoid arthritis patients as compared to conventional technique].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The operative treatment of a secondary gonarthrosis due to RA claims high quality in soft tissue balancing and accurate alignment in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) which are essential for good long-term results. The efficiency of an imageless computer-assisted implantation in TKA was evaluated and compared with conventional technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors implanted each 40 TKA either using the imageless computer-assisted or classical surgeon-controlled technique. The quality of implantation was studied on postoperative long leg coronal and lateral x-rays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A postoperative leg axis between 3 degrees varus and 3 degrees valgus was obtained in 37 patients (92.5%) in the study group and 30 patients (75%) in the control group. Complications influencing the clinical outcome did not occur.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of the imageless Vector-Vision navigation system provides the patient a good chance for longterm survival. Especially the ligament balancing tool appears to be useful. Cutting errors can be detected and intraoperatively corrected.
authors.affiliation: Orthopädische Universitätsklinik Regensburg, Bayerisches Rheuma- und Orthopädie-Zentrum gGmbH des BRK, Kaiser-Karl-V-Allee 3, 93077 Bad Abbach, Germany. lars.perlick@klinik.uni-regensburg.de
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perlick
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bäthis
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lerch
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lüring
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tingart
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Grifka
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome