title: The Difficult Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.
abstract: Primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) for the treatment of knee arthritis has substantially increased over the past decade. Because of its success, the indications for primary TKA have expanded to include younger patients who are more active, elderly patients who have multiple comorbidities, and patients who have more complex issues, such as posttraumatic arthritis and severe deformity. TKA also has been used to salvage failed unicondylar arthroplasty and osteotomies about the knee. Exposure may be challenging and outcomes may not be as successful in patients with soft-tissue contractures, such as a stiff knee, who undergo TKA. Bone graft or augments may be required to correct deformity and attain proper knee alignment in patients who have a substantial varus or valgus deformity. TKA is somewhat challenging in patients who have deformity, bone loss, contracture, or multiple comorbidities, or have had prior surgery; therefore, it is necessary for surgeons to be aware of some general principles that may help minimize complications and improve outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Professor, Chief of Adult Reconstruction, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Arthur L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Malkani
authors.forename: Kirby D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Hitt
authors.forename: Sameer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Badarudeen
authors.forename: Courtland
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: Jeffrey
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cherian
authors.forename: Randa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Elmallah
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mont
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016916:Joint Deformities, Acquired / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000601:surgery; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020379:Risk Adjustment; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods