title: Pre-operative frontal plane malalignment predicts the extension gap asymmetry in knee osteoarthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In contrast to bone cuts, soft-tissue releases cannot be planned sufficiently prior to total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Intra-operative evaluation of the extension gap after tibial or femoral resection may result in an unnecessarily excessive bone resection. The present study examines whether extension gap asymmetry can be calculated from the pre-operative long standing X-ray.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, 32 patients with navigated unconstrained TKA were included. The pre-operative malalignment was measured on long standing X-rays and compared with the extension gap asymmetry that was documented by the navigation system intra-operatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean pre-operative malalignment was 9.8° (20° valgus to 14.8° varus). The intra-operatively measured extension gap showed a mean asymmetry of 3.4 ± 2.4 mm. Both correlated following the equation: asymmetry [mm] = 0.35 * malalignment [°] (R = 0.855, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We recommend planning the intra-operative release and tibial bone cut using long standing X-rays.
authors.affiliation: Orthopedic Department, Center for Musculoskeletal Surgery, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany. Georg.Matziolis@Charite.de
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Matziolis
authors.forename: Doerte
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Matziolis
authors.forename: Carsten
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perka
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D017760:Bone Malalignment / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D057234:Preoperative Period; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery