title: Posterolateral capsular release for correction of valgus deformity.
abstract: Achieving coronal balance during arthroplasty of a valgus knee presents a challenge for the surgeon. Various techniques for lateral release had been described with no consensus among surgeons. We retrospectively reviewed 42 consecutive patients (38 women, mean age 72.7 years, follow-up 42 ± 23 months) with a valgus deformity who were operated while using a posterolateral capsular release as the sole method of lateral release. All knees were successfully balanced, without the need for further release of other structures. Valgus angles improved from 17.5 ± 4.6 degrees (range 11 to 31) to 6.3 ± 2.2 degrees (range 2 to 11) (p < 0.0001), and the knee and functional scores improved from 5.4 ± 17.7 and 24.8 ± 24.7 to 88.2 ± 15.8 and 70 ± 30, respectively (p < 0.0001) at last follow-up. One patient developed transient peroneal palsy after correction of severe deformity. The posterolateral capsule release, which is similar to that of the "inside-out" technique, provides a simple and safe solution for balancing a valgus knee.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. ofirchik@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ofir
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Chechik
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mayer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drexler
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sternheim
authors.forename: Nimrod
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Snir
authors.forename: Shmuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dekel
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057913:Joint Capsule Release / Q000379:methods*; D016916:Joint Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome