Randomized trial: impact of the flexion gap in primary knee arthroplasty on the functional outcome

A poorly balanced, unstable, or stiff joint is a major cause of residual pain, dissatisfaction, and revision after total knee replacement (TKA), but the definition of a well-balanced joint remains debatable.The aim of the study was to study the influence of the accuracy of restoration of the flexion gap in primary TKA, using a special tool, on the function of the knee joint and the patient's quality of life.Materials and methods. A single-center, randomized, controlled study was conducted in 41 patients with grade 3-4 knee osteoarthritis. (K-L): I group (n=21) underwent primary TKA using the instrument proposed by us for precision resection of the posterior surface of the femoral condyles, II group (n=20) - endoprosthesis replacement according to the standard technique. All patients underwent CT scan before and after surgery, all patients were assessed on the VAS pain scale, knee joint scales: OKS, FJS-12, KSS, SF-36, after 3, 6 and 12 months.Results. Comparison of the height of the joint space before and after the operation gave a high statistical significance: in the frontal plane, about 20.7% (I group 2.06±2.368, II group 2.629±2.455, р function show_eabstract() { $('#eabstract1').hide(); $('#eabstract2').show(); $('#eabstract_expand').hide(); }