Effects of posterior cruciate ligament resection in total knee arthroplasty using computer assisted surgery.
OBJECTIVE
The authors prospectively measure the effects of Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) excision in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) using Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS).


METHODS
Between April 2008 and June 2008, sixteen knees of fifteen patients with varus deformity less than 20 degree and grossly intact PCL were included in this study. Using CAS and tensioning device to maintain consistent pressure, extension and flexion gap on both medial and lateral side before and after resection of PCL was recorded.


RESULTS
The mean increases of extension gap on medial and lateral side after resection of PCL are 0.17 +/- 0.22 mm (-0.17 to 0.5 mm) and 0.25 +/- 0.37 mm (-0.33 to 1.16 mm) respectively. The mean increases of flexion gap on medial and lateral side are 1.29 +/- 1.02 mm (0-3 mm) and 2.09 +/- 1.12 (0.5-4.66 mm) respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Resection of PCL showed increase of flexion gap more than extension gap (p-value < 0.05) and lateral side of flexion gap always increase more than medial side (p-value < 0.05).
Chaiyakit
Pruk
P
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration Medical College and Vajira Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand. pchaiyakit@yahoo.com
Meknavin
Surapoj
S
Hongku
Natthapong
N
D000368:Aged; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016119:Posterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome