title: Electronic measurement of soft-tissue balancing reduces lateral releases in total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: Soft tissue balancing during total knee arthroplasty (TKA)  has a direct affect on patello-femoral tracking and knee  range of motion, which are necessary for a well functioning  TKA postoperatively. We report on the use of an electronic  pressure sensing instrument for soft tissue balancing of the  knee before completion of all intraoperative bone cuts, as  a way to improve patellar tracking. In a retrospective study  of 99 consecutive TKAs, with intraoperative electronic  instrument guided soft tissue balancing performed, a  reduction in the incidence of lateral patellar retinacular  release was found, as compared with the 100 consecutive  TKAs prior to its use (5.5% v 12%, respectively). Electronic  measurement of soft tissue balancing during TKA reduced  the need for lateral patellar retinacular release.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Joseph F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Fetto
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hadley
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Leffers
authors.forename: Chris J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Leslie
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schwarzkopf
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014160:Transducers, Pressure; D016896:Treatment Outcome