Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the midvastus approach in total knee arthroplasty. Methods We searched The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, and CBM to identify clinical controlled trials comparing the midvastus approach with the medial parapatellar approach in total knee arthroplasty. The quality of the included studies was critically assessed and the data analyses were performed by the Cochrane Collaboration’s RevMan 5.0. Results Eight studies were included, involving 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), 2 quasi-RCTs and 2 non-RCTs. Meta-analyses showed that rate of lateral retinacular release (RR=0.75, 95%CI 0.52 to 1.08, P=0.12), range of motion at 6 week postoperation (MD=2.65, 95%CI –1.20 to 6.50, P=0.18), operation time (MD=1.04, 95%CI –3.50 to 5.58), and adverse events postoperation (OR=1.04, 95%CI 0.43 to 2.52, P=0.94) were similar between the midvastus approach and the medial parapatellar approach in total knee arthroplasty. One study showed that there was no significant difference in blood loss interoperation between the two approaches, and two showed that the midvastus approach had less blood loss interoperation than the medial parapatellar approach. There was no statistical analysis about the blood loss interoperation in one study. For the time of straight leg raise, there was no significant difference in two studies. But in one study, it showed that patients needed longer time for straight leg raise. Conclusion Based on the current evidence, the midvastus approach for total knee arthroplasty is as safe and effective as the medial parapatellar approach, but blood loss interoperation and time of straight leg raise are not decided. Due to the poor quality of the included trials, more high-quality RCTs are needed.
Effective postoperative pain management in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty is an important part of the realization of enhanced recovery after surgery. Peripheral nerve block is of great significance to the control of postoperative pain, and clinicians are committed to finding a nerve block that has little impact on muscle strength and is conducive to the early recovery of motor function after total knee arthroplasty. Infiltration between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee block can selectively block the sensory branch of the posterior end of the knee joint without affecting the motor branch of the common peroneal nerve, so that the muscle strength can be minimally affected under the condition of adequate analgesia. This article reviews the proposal of infiltration between the popliteal artery and capsule of the knee block, the approach and method of the block, and the advantages of combining with different nerve blocks for analgesia after total knee arthroplasty.
Objective To compare the long-term effectiveness of patellar denervation by electrotomy combined with patellar replacement and patellar denervation by electrotomy alone in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 30 patients treated with primary TKA of both knees between July 2013 and March 2015 who met the selection criteria. There were 11 males and 19 females, aged 56-79 years, with an average age of 67.6 years. One knee was randomly selected for patellar denervation by electrotomy combined with patellar replacement during TKA (combined group), while the other knee was treated with patellar denervation by electrotomy alone (control group). All patients adopted the same type of total knee prosthesis. After surgery, the patients were followed up regularly, and the occurrence of complications was recorded. The functions of the knee and patella were evaluated using the Knee Society Score (KSS) and Feller score, respectively. The position of the prosthesis, patella trajectory, and prosthesis loosening and wear were observed by imaging examination. Results All 30 patients were followed up 81.4-103.5 months, with an average of 90.4 months. The patellar thickness of the combined group ranged from 21 to 26 mm, with an average of 23.0 mm. The position of the prosthesis and patella trajectory in the combined group and the control group were good, without obvious loosening or wear. After operation, 2 sides (6.7%) in the combined group and 3 sides (10.0%) in the control group presented joint adhesion and poor activities. No complication such as lower limb deep vein thrombosis, aseptic fractures, and infections around the prosthesis occurred in both groups. At last follow-up, the KSS clinical score, KSS function score, and Feller score showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). According to the KSS score, 24 patients (80.0%) had no obvious preference for patellar denervation combined with patellar replacement, 3 patients (10.0%) preferred patellar replacement combined with patellar denervation, and 3 patients (10.0%) preferred no patellar replacement. Anterior knee pain occurred in 6 sides (20.0%) of both groups. Conclusion There is no significant difference in the long-term effectiveness between patellar denervation combined with patellar replacement and patellar denervation alone conducted in patients with knee osteoarthritis undergoing primary TKA.
To investigate an effect of tranexamic acid on blood loss associated with total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods From June 2005 to June 2006, 102 patients (43 males, 59 females; aged 59-77 years, averaged 68 years) underwent TKA. Of the 102 patients, 59 had osteoarthritis, 23 had rheumatoid arthritis, and 20 had traumatic arthritis.The illness course ranged from 2 to 12 years. They were randomized divided into Group A and Group B of 51 patients each. The patients in Group A received tranexamic acid, and the patients in Group B received an equal volume of normal saline. In Group A, 1 g of tranexamic acid dissolved in 250 ml of normal saline was intravenously infused before deflation of the tourniquet; another intravenous administration of the same drug of the same dosage was given 3 hours later. In Group B, only 250 ml of normal saline was infused intravenously. The amounts of blood loss and blood transfusion during operation and after operation in all the 102 patients were recorded. They were also observed for whether they had deep vein thrombosis. D-dimeride, fibrinogen, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time were also examined before operation, during operation (deflation of the tourniquet), and 3 hours after operation.Results The blood loss was 256±149 ml in Group A and 306±214 ml in Group B during operation; there was no significant difference between the two groups（P＞0.05）. The postoperative drainage volume was 478±172 ml in Group A and 814±156 ml in Group B, and the total blood loss was 559±159 ml in Group A and 1.208±243 ml in Group B; there were significant differences between the two groups (P＜0.05). The averaged amount of blood transfusion was 556±174 ml in Group A and 1 024± 278 ml in Group B; there was a significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.05). The postoperative hemoglobin concentration was higher in GroupA than that in Group B (1.0-1.1 g/dL vs. 0.6-0.8 g/dL). The ostoperative follow-up for 612 months revealed that no deep vein thrombosis was found in both lower limbs of the patients by the color Doppler ultrasonography. The level of D-dimeride was significantly higher 3 hours after operation than before operation (0.92±0.56 mg/L vs. 0.35±0.13 mg/L in Group A; 1.32±0.79 mg/L vs. 0.37± 0.21 mg/L in Group B) (P＜0.05). The D-dimeride level 3 hours after operation was significantly higher n Group B than in Group A（P＜0.05）. There were no significant differencesin the levels of fibrinogen, prothrombin time, and activated partial thromboplastin time between the two groups（P＞0.05）.Conclusion During and after the TKA operation, a shortterm use of tranexamic acid can significantly decrease blood loss and blood transfusion with no increasing risk for venous thrombosis.
Objective To review the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis infection after total knee arthro-plasty (TKA). Methods The recent literature concerning the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis infection after TKA were extensively reviewed and summarized. Results The diagnosis of tuberculosis infection after TKA is difficult. It should be combined with the patient’s medical history, symptoms, signs, blood examinations, and imaging examinations, among which the bacterial culture and histopathological examination are the gold standard of diagnosis. Treatment strategy is combined with the drug treatment and a variety of surgical procedures that depends on the clinical situation. Conclusion At present, there is no guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis infection after TKA, it still needs further study and improvement.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the early effectiveness of one-stage total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with tibial stem extender for knee arthritis complicated with tibial stress fractures. MethodsBetween January 2014 and November 2016, 12 patients (12 knees) with knee arthritis and tibial stress fractures underwent one-stage TKA with tibial stem extender. There were 5 males and 7 females with an average age of 71.5 years (range, 60-77 years). There were 8 cases with osteoarthritis and 4 cases with rheumatoid arthritis. The radiographic examination showed the 6 cases of intra-articular fractures and 6 of extra-articular fractures (including transverse fractures in 4 cases and short oblique fractures in 2 cases); 2 cases complicated with middle and upper fibular fractures; 12 cases of varus deformities. Preoperative Knee Society Score (KSS) clinical score was 31.5±8.4 and functional score was 33.3±9.0. The preoperative range of motion (ROM) of the knee was (65.6±9.6)°. ResultsAll incisions healed primarily and no wound infection or skin necrosis occurred. All patients were followed up 36.5 months on average (range, 6-52 months). X-ray films showed that all fractures healed at 3-7 months (mean, 4 months); the position of the prosthesis was good, and no loosening or signs of infection occurred. At last follow-up, the KSS clinical score was 90.5±8.9 and functional score was 92.1±7.8; the ROM of the knee was (115.0±9.8)°. All indexes were significantly improved than those before operation (t=40.340, P=0.000; t=32.120, P= 0.000; t=8.728, P=0.000). ConclusionOne-stage TKA with tibial stem extender for patients with knee arthritis and tibial stress fractures can restore limb alignment, facilitate fracture healing, and obtain the satisfactory early effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo summarize research progress of the effect of knee flexion position on postoperative blood loss and knee range of motion (ROM) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsThe relevant literature at home and abroad was reviewed and summarized from mechanism, research status, progress, and clinical outcome. The differences of clinical results caused by different positions, flexion angles, and keeping time were compared.ResultsKeeping knee flexion after TKA can reduce postoperative blood loss through the angle change of blood vessels and increase knee early ROM by improving flexion muscle strength. When the flexion angle of the knee is large and the flexion position is keeping for a long time, the postoperative blood loss and the knee ROM can be significantly improved. However, the amount of blood loss and ROM are not further improved in the patients with keeping knee flexion for more than 24 hours compared with less than 24 hours.ConclusionKeeping knee flexion after TKA is a simple and effective method to reduce postoperative blood loss and improve knee ROM. However, the optimal knee flexion angle and time are needed to be further explored.
Objective To evaluate the usefulness of minimal incision technique in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) by comparing the early compl ications after minimal incision TKA and those after traditional incision. Methods From May 2004 to July 2005, 38 patients (46 knees) underwent TKA using the minimal incision technique (minimal incision group), and 43 patients (54 knees) underwent TKA using the traditional incision technique at the same period (traditional incision group). The inimal incision group included 12 male patients (12 knees) and 26 female patients (34 knees), and their ages ranged from 52 to 76 years. Twenty-four patients (28 knees) had osteoarthritis and 14 patients (18 knees) had rheumatic arthritis. The varus deformity of the knee was found in 30 patients (34 knees) and valgus deformity was found in 8 patients (12 knees). TheAmerican Knee Society Score (AKSS) score was 37.5 ± 12.6, and the disease course was (7.5 ± 2.3) years. The raditional incision group included 15 male patients (19 knees) and 28 female patients (35 knees), and their ages ranged from 55 to 82 years. Thirtytwo patients (37 knees) had osteoarthritis and 11 patients (17 knees) had rheumatic arthritis. Varus deformity of the knee was found in 34 patients (41 knees) and valgus deformity was found in 9 patients (13 knees). The AKSS score was 31.1 ± 10.2, and the disease course was (10.1 ± 4.2) years. There were no statistically significant differences in the general data between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Results The incision length, the operation time and the drainage flow were (12.6 ± 1.2) cm, (95 ± 15) minutes and (650.1 ± 10.0) mL in the minimal incision group and (18.7 ± 2.3) cm, (63 ± 11) minutes and (300.0 ± 20.0) mL in the traditional incision group; showing statistically significant differences between two groups (P lt; 0.05). In the minimal incision group, 4 patients (4 knees) developed infections at the operated knees, including 2 early infection and 2 late infection, which were all cured by corresponding treatment. Deep vein thrombosis occurred in 1 patient on the third day after operation and was managed successfully by thrombolytic therapy. Cutaneous necrosis was found in 2 patients on the seventh and ninth postoperative day separately, which healed uneventfully after intensive local treatment. On the twelfth postoperative month, 1 patient had femoral fractured at the site of supracondylar region after a careless fall, but the prosthesis was stable. The fracture was fixed by a plate and healed uneventfully. In the traditional incision group, only 1 patient (1 knee) developed early infection at the operated knee on the tenth postoperative day, which was managed by corresponding treatment. And there were no periprosthetic fracture, cutaneous necrosis or deep vein thrombosis. The patients were followed up for (3.7 ± 0.4) years in the minimalincision group and (3.9 ± 0.6) years in the traditional incision group. At the latest follow-up, the AKSS scores were 78.2 ± 6.7 in the minimal incision group and 81.2 ± 7.3 in the traditional incision group, showing statistically significant ifferences (P lt; 0.05) when compared with those before operation and no statistically significant difference between two groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion Minimally invasive TKA has relatively higher compl ication rate than traditional incision. Strict patient inclusion criteria, competent surgery skill, proper instrument and intensive perioperative management are essential to success.
Objective To investigate effectiveness of applying the Bone Morphingbased image-free computer-assisted system for the ligament balancing managementin the total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Methods Between November 2002 and June 2003, twenty-one posterior stabilized total knee prostheses (Ceraver, France) were implanted in 21 patients using the Bone Morphing based image-free Ceravision system.This cohort included 5 men and 16 women with an average age of 72.4 years, two undergoing high tibial osteotomy and 1 undergoing distal femoral osteotomy before. The preoperative deviation was measured by the full-length AP X-rays. The knees were in varus deviation in 14 patients and in valgus deviation in 7 patients, with an average of 2.36°(varus 13°-valgus 13°). The frontal X-rays ofthe knee were assessed, the mean value of the varus force-stress test was 8.47°(varus 2°-varus 20°), and the mean value of the valgus forcestress test was 3.63°(varus 7°-valgus 12°). Results With the Ceravisionrecorded data, the intraoperative alignment was assessed, the mean lower limb axis was 3.33°(varus 12°-valgus 10°),and compared with the preoperative data, the difference was significant (Plt;0.05); the mean value of the varus force-stress test was 6.47°(varus 0°-varus 24°), the mean value of the valgus force-stress test was 4.32°(varus 8°- valgus 15°), and compared with the preoperative data, the difference was significant (Plt;0.05). The post-prosthetic alignment on Ceravision with a deviation of 0.175°(varus 2°- valgus 3°) was compared with the postoperative alignment by the full-length AP X-rays, with a deviation of 0.3°(varus 3.5°-valgus 1.5°), the difference wasn’t significant(Pgt;0.05).The clinical check-up performed 3 months after operation showed that the average range of movement (ROM) was 115°(105-130°), the mean frontal laxity was 0.27 mm(0.2-0.5 mm). The femoral and tibial components were implanted in the satisfactory 3 dimensional position without ligament imbalance in all the patients, andthere were no instability or patella complications.Conclusion Utilization of the Bone Morphing based image-free computer-assisted system can achieve an accurate component 3 dimensional alignment, optimal bone resection, optimal control of surgical decision in releasing the soft tissues, rotating the femoral component to gain an extension/flexion rectangular gap, and managing theligament balancing so as to achieve a satisfactory initial clinical outcome. This system can be routinely used in the TKA.