title: The effect of a sagittal cutting error of the distal femur on the flexion-extension gap difference in total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine how much a distal femoral cutting error would affect the flexion-extension gap difference (flexion gap minus extension gap) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We evaluated 15 knees using a computer-simulation technique. Bone cutting errors of -2°, 2° and 4° of extension were simulated in three TKA systems. A distal femoral cutting error of 2° of extension or flexion caused a change in the difference between the flexion and extension gaps of approximately two mm in all three TKA systems. Surgeons should recognize that distal femoral cutting errors have a significant effect on the flexion-extension gap difference in TKA and pay particular attention to the alignment of the distal cutting surface.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Chiba Rehabilitation Center, Midori-ku, Chiba, Japan.
authors.forename: Tadashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tsukeoka
authors.forename: Yoshikazu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tsuneizumi
authors.forename: Tae Hyun
authors.initials: TH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D019300:Medical Errors; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: bone cutting error; computer-simulation; distal femur; flexion-extension gap difference; total knee arthroplasty