Are Postoperative Complications More Common with Single-Stage Bilateral (SBTKR) Than with Unilateral Knee Arthroplasty: Guidelines for Patients Scheduled for SBTKR

A significant number of patients with degenerative arthritis of the knee require bilateral knee arthroplasty. Single-stage bilateral total knee arthroplasty (SBTKR) has been associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality. At our institution, the following steps have been taken to minimize the risks to patients undergoing this procedure: regional anesthesia and analgesia, invasive monitoring, postoperative observation in an intensive care unit setting, and aggressive management of hemodynamic aberrations. We reviewed the medical records of 462 sequential total knee arthroplasty patients, consisting of 169 SBTKR and 293 unilateral total knee arthroplasty (UTKR) cases. A total of 122 patients from each group were matched for age, weight, and a history of ischemic heart disease and hypertension. Patients for SBTKR exhibited a significantly higher incidence of fat embolism syndrome and cardiac arrhythmias than UTKR patients. There were no deaths in either group and the incidence of other serious postoperative complications was low and similar between the two groups. Elderly patients (∼75 years old) had more postoperative complications. With aggressive clinical management SBTKR can be safely performed in selected patients. Guidelines for the selection of these patients are presented.     

Comparison of the major intraoperative and postoperative complications between unilateral and sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty in a high-volume community hospital

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a common surgical treatment for arthritis. In the event of bilateral knee symptoms, a patient may elect for bilateral TKA (BTKA) under 1 anesthetic or 2 separate unilateral TKAs (UTKA). Controversy exists in the literature regarding the safety of BTKA versus UTKA. We compared the rate of major intraoperative and postoperative complications for BTKA versus UTKA at a high-volume community hospital.

Methods

We compared 373 patients who underwent BTKA with 966 who underwent UTKA between May 2008 and May 2011. Health records were used to determine patient characteristics and major intraoperative and postoperative complications. The BTKA and UTKA cohorts were matched for demographic characteristics and comorbidities with the exception of previous transient ischemic attack and previous knee surgery (UTKA > BTKA).

Results

Rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications, including cardiovascular, thromboembolic and neurologic complications; deep wound infections; and mortality, did not differ significantly between groups. Bilateral TKA was associated with a greater proportion of patients requiring blood transfusion than UTKA (29.8% v. 8.9%, p < 0.001). Among those transfused, there was no significant difference between the groups in the mean number of units required (1.72 ± 0.77 v. 1.53 ± 0.85 units, p = 0.68).

Conclusion

Bilateral TKA was not associated with statistically greater rates of intra-operative and postoperative complications than UTKA, barring the proportion of patients requiring transfusion. Our results support the use of BTKA to treat bilateral knee arthritis in a high-volume community hospital setting.     

Charcot关节病全膝关节置换手术疗效及文献分析

目的探讨膝关节Charcot关节病行全膝关节置换术（TKA）手术疗效及注意事项。方法对本中心5例Charcot关节病患者8个膝关节行TKA的手术疗效进行回顾分析。5例患者,男2例,女3例,手术平均年龄60岁（54～68岁）。2例行单侧TKA,3例行双侧分次TKA。采用KSS评分标准对手术疗效进行评价。另外,计算机检索Pubmed、Medline、Embase、万方数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库、中文科技期刊数据库近十年（2000—2011）公开发表的文献,同时配合手工检索已发表的骨科论文,并查阅相关文章所附的参考文献。对所纳入的文献研究进行分析讨论。结果随访时间平均12个月（2～20个月）,8个膝关节TKA术后均无感染及松动发生。KSS评分由术前平均39．00分（13～55分）增加到术后平均93．25分（91～96分）,患者对功能及关节的稳定性满意。共有9篇文献描述了Charcot关节病TKA的疗效、假体选择、外科技术、并发症及术后处理。结论本中心膝关节Charcot关节病行TKA的近期随访结果满意,结合文献研究,选择适当的假体、良好的手术操作和术后康复,Charcot关节病患者可以通过TKA获得良好的中期结果。     

Perioperative morbidity and mortality of 2-team simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has a well-established track record for relieving pain associated with arthritis of the knee joint. The total rate of bilateral TKA has doubled over the past 2 decades, and the rate in women has tripled over that same time period. In patients with bilateral knee arthritis, a decision must be made whether to operate at 2 different settings (staged), a single setting with 1 surgeon (sequential simultaneous), or a single setting with 2 surgeons (2-team simultaneous). The purpose of this study was to examine the perioperative morbidity and mortality of 2-team simultaneous bilateral TKA. Two hundred twenty-seven consecutive 2-team simultaneous bilateral TKA and 216 consecutive unilateral TKA patients were reviewed. Major (deep infection, death, cerebrovascular accident, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, revision within the 1-year follow-up) and minor (all other) complications were compared. No deaths occurred, and the major and minor complication rates were not statistically significantly different between the 2 groups, but a trend toward higher rates of both major and minor complications existed in the bilateral TKA group. Two-team simultaneous bilateral TKA offers the potential benefits of decreased overall recovery time, decreased overall cost, decreased number of anesthetic administrations, and simultaneous correction of significant deformity. It remains an appropriate option in select patients.     

一期双膝关节与单膝关节置换术围手术期并发症比较

目的 比较一期双膝关节与单膝关节置换术的围手术期并发症.方法 1996年10月至2006年10月,行初次全膝关节置换术的患者497例,男112例,女385例;年龄24～86岁,平均66岁;行一期双膝关节置换术171例,单膝关节置换术326例.比较两组患者的术前合并症、围手术期并发症等.结果 两组患者平均年龄、性别比例及术前合并症比较,差异均无统计学意义.一期双膝关节置换术后平均出血量为1050.90 ml(963.36～1138.44 ml),输血量为400～2800 ml;单膝关节置换术后平均出血量为466.75 ml(444.85～488.65 ml),输血量为0～1200 ml.一期双膝关节置换术与单膝关节置换术后出血量及输血量比较,差异有统计学意义.围手术期深静脉血栓形成和肺栓塞的发生率、消化系统并发症的发生率、浅表伤口愈合不良的发生率及术后2年深部感染的发生率比较,差异无统计学意义.一期双膝关节置换术与单膝关节置换术相比,术后心血管系统并发症(P=0.0003)及神经系统并发症(P=0.0356)的发生率增高.结论 术前对患者进行全面的健康评估,积极治疗术前合并症,对降低一期双膝关节置换术的风险至关重要.当患者术前存在心脑血管合并症时,应避免采用一期双膝关节置换术.对于存在高风险的患者,术前应向其充分交待手术风险及术中有临时决定改为分期手术的可能.     

Is Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty Staged at a One-Week Interval Safe? A Matched Case Control Study

Controversy surrounds the safety of bilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and whether staging the procedures one week apart represents a safer option. A consecutive series of 234 patients underwent either a simultaneous (103 patients) or staged bilateral TKA (131 patients) from 2007 to 2012 and were compared to a matched control group of unilateral TKA (131 patients). Staged patients had no difference in one-year complication rate when compared to simultaneous bilateral TKA and the matched unilateral TKA control group (15% vs. 19% vs. 15%, P = 0.512). There was also no difference in perioperative complications (10% vs. 14% vs. 7%, P = 0.231) or 90-day readmissions (8% vs. 4% vs. 4%, P = 0.295). In selected patients with bilateral knee OA, TKA staged at a one-week interval is a safe alternative.     

Simultaneous bilateral,staged bilateral,and unilateral total knee arthroplasty. A survival analysis

BACKGROUND: The rates of perioperative morbidity and mortality are areas of concern associated with simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement. The purpose of this paper was to compare the rates of morbidity and mortality and the clinical outcome in large groups of consecutive patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement, unilateral total knee replacement, or staged bilateral total knee replacement. METHODS: A total of 6200 total knee replacements, performed in 3998 patients between 1983 and 2000, consisted of 2050 simultaneous bilateral, 1796 unilateral, and 152 staged bilateral total knee replacements. A review of each group was conducted to compare the rates of morbidity and mortality, the survival of the prosthesis, and the clinical outcome. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses were performed with failure defined as revision because of aseptic loosening and as patient death. Complications and Knee Society scores were compared throughout the fifteen-year follow-up period (average, 4.3 years of follow-up). RESULTS: The unilateral group had significantly lower Knee Society scores than the simultaneous bilateral group (p < 0.0001 up to twelve years, and p = 0.0067 at fifteen years) across all postoperative time-intervals. The percentage of patients who had thrombophlebitis was significantly higher in the simultaneous bilateral group (0.9%) than in the unilateral group (0.3%) (p = 0.0326). No significant differences were found with regard to prosthetic failure, cardiac complications, and the rates of death in the three groups. Ten years postoperatively, the simultaneous bilateral group had a significantly higher rate of patient survival than did the unilateral group (78.6% compared with 72.0%) (p = 0.0062). CONCLUSIONS: The significantly higher rate of thrombophlebitis in the simultaneous bilateral group compared with that in the unilateral group may represent a greater risk to those patients. However, we believe that when there are adequate indications for bilateral total knee replacement, simultaneous bilateral arthroplasty is beneficial to patients, with a minimal increase in the risk of death or other complications compared with that associated with unilateral and staged procedures.     

Inhospital Complications and Costs of Simultaneous Bilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty: The Case for Selection and Potential Cost Savings

BackgroundPublished comparisons between bilateral and unilateral total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) remain biased, as most patients undergoing bilateral TKA are prescreened and healthier than average patients having unilateral procedures. Our objectives were to compare postoperative complications and resource utilization of patients having simultaneous bilateral TKAs with similar patients having unilateral procedures.MethodsThe Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) database was used to identify patients undergoing primary elective TKA from 2002 to 2011. A total of 4,445,263 patients were identified. Of these, 190,783 (4%) were having same-day bilateral procedures. Patients with staged bilateral TKA during the same hospitalization were excluded. Complications and costs were compared to a matched cohort of patients having unilateral procedures. This cohort was matched based on age, gender, and 30 comorbid-defined elements in the NIS.ResultsA total of 172,366 (90%) simultaneous bilateral procedures were matched 1:1 to patients with unilateral procedures for the adjusted analysis. Patients with bilateral procedures were at an increased risk for many complications including postoperative anemia (OR: 2.3; 95% CI: 2.2-2.3, P < .001), cardiac (OR: 2.1; 95% CI: 2.0-2.3, P < .001), and inhospital mortality (OR: 3.3; 95% CI: 2.6-4.3). These patients also incurred in higher hospital costs ($19,343 vs $12,852, P < .001) and were discharged more commonly to a rehabilitation facility (70% vs 32%, P < .001).ConclusionPatients undergoing simultaneous bilateral TKA are at an increased risk of developing important postoperative complications and mortality compared with unilateral cases. These data highlight the importance of patient selection and optimization for bilateral TKA and potential cost savings.     

高龄膝骨关节炎患者人工单髁关节置换疗效分析

目的:探讨75岁以上膝骨性关节炎患者行人工单髁关节置换术后临床疗效。方法：自2010年4月至2015年5月应用Oxford第3代人工单髁关节治疗膝内侧间室骨性关节炎患者42例,根据手术单双侧置换情况将患者分为双侧同期置换组和单侧置换组：同期置换组11例,男3例,女8例,年龄（79.18±3.06）岁;单侧置换组31例,男13例,女18例,年龄（78.16±3.48）岁。观察比较患者患膝假体生存现状、术前后血细胞比容变化、术中及术后的失血总量,比较患者术前后膝关节HSS（Hospital for Special Surgery knee-rating）评分。结果：两组术后围手术期并发症比较差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。42例患者获得随访,时间（5.7±2.3）年。1例既往高血压合病史患者术后第4个月发生脑血栓,1例患者在术后第4个月发生衬垫脱位,2例患者于术后3年因其他内科疾病死亡（1例心肌梗塞,1例肺癌）。双侧同期置换组术后失血总量高于单侧置换组（P<0.05）;4例行双侧同期置换患者术后分别输血2 U。两组术后9个月HSS评分除稳定性评分其他各项评分和总分均高于术前（P<0.05）。结论：内侧单间室退变的75岁以上老年骨性关节炎患者选择人工单髁关节置换术是可行的手术治疗方法。对于双膝病变75岁以上老年患者,双侧同期人工单髁关节置换术同单侧单髁关节置换手术相比,创伤大,会增加围手术期并发症发生率,影响术后快速康复,增加失血量。虽然远期疗效同单侧单髁关节置换手术相当,但为保证手术安全性,仍建议分期手术。     

Influence of bilateral sequential total knee arthroplasty on functional recovery

Background:

Main concerns of patients undergoing bilateral surgery is the quantum of pain and the progress of functional recovery. We studied functional recovery in terms of pain, range of motion (ROM), SF12, WOMAC scores and a unique TUG (timed up and go) test for patients undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty (U/L-TKA) and sequential bilateral total knee arthroplasty (B/L-TKA).

Materials and Methods:

Three groups of 77 consecutive patients (91 knees) were retrospectively compared. They were B/L TKA group (28 knees: 14 patients), Unilateral TKA group with contralateral knee nonoperated i.e., U/L-TKA group (42 knees) and Unilateral TKA with contralateral TKA already done i.e., U/L + C/L TKA group (21 knees). Patients were assessed preoperatively and on postoperative days 3, 5, 14, 42, 90 and 1 year.

Results:

The WOMAC score was statistically better preoperatively in the U/L + C/L TKA group, and SF12 MCS score was statistically better preoperatively in the B/L-TKA group. The TUG test time in the B/L-TKA group was statistically longer on days 3 and 5 as compared to other groups and became comparable by day 14. The TUG score became better than the preoperative value by day 42 in the B/L-TKA group, which took 90 days in other groups.

Conclusion:

The early functional recovery of bilateral TKA patient lags behind that of unilateral TKA patient for the first 5 days, becomes equal by the 14^th day and remains equal till 1 year after surgery. Bilateral TKA patients regain their preoperative functional status by 6 weeks against 3 months for unilateral TKA. The operative status of the contralateral knee makes no difference to early functional recovery after unilateral TKA. With bilateral TKA, there is no difference in pain and ROM parameters.     

混合型单髁与全膝关节置换治疗膝内侧间室骨关节炎的疗效比较

目的：探讨Oxford第3代混合型单髁置换（unicompartmental knee arthroplasty,UKA）与全膝关节置换（total knee arthroplasty,TKA）治疗膝关节内侧间室骨关节炎的疗效。方法：回顾性分析2017年10月至2019年10月行膝关节置换术的156例患者,男44例,女112例,年龄50~75（58.76±4.97）岁。根据不同治疗方式分为单侧TKA组和单侧Oxford第3代混合型UKA组。单侧TKA 81例（81膝）,男23例,女58例,年龄51~75（58.60±5.01）岁;单侧Oxford第3代混合型UKA 75例（75膝）,男21例,女54例,年龄50~72（58.92±4.95）岁。比较两组临床评估指标,包括手术一般情况、相关并发症、美国膝关节协会评分（American Knee Society score,AKSS）临床评分和功能评分;影像评估指标包括髋膝踝角（hip-knee-ankle angle,HKA）、股骨假体内外翻角（femoral component valgus/varus angle,FCVA）、股骨假体后倾角（femoral component posterior slope angle,FCPSA）、胫骨假体内外翻角（tibial component valgus/varus angle,TCVA）、胫骨假体后倾角（tibial component posterior slope angle,TCPSA）,是否发生膝关节外侧间室进展、衬垫脱位、假体下沉、松动。结果：UKA组术中出血量、手术时间、住院天数均显著优于TKA组（P<0.05）,两组术后均未出现并发症。两组患者均获随访,时间24~54（38.01±8.90）个月。末次随访两组AKSS临床评分、功能评分、HKA均优于术前（P<0.05）。末次随访UKA组AKSS临床评分、功能评分均优于TKA组（P<0.05）,TKA组HKA优于UKA组（P<0.05）。末次随访两组TCVA、FCVA差异无统计学意义（P>0.05）,UKA组TCPSA、FCPSA大于TKA组（P<0.05）,UKA组未出现外侧室进展。结论：Oxford第3代混合型UKA治疗膝关节内侧间室骨关节炎,较TKA具有手术创伤小、失血量少、手术时间短、住院时间短、术后快速康复、膝关节功能恢复更好等优势,疗效满意。     

Asymmetry of the Leg Alignment Affects Trunk Bending in the Coronal Plane After Unilateral Total Knee Arthroplasty

Unilateral total knee arthroplasty (TKA) would produce asymmetric changes of lower extremity in patients with bilateral varus deformity. Our purpose was to investigate whether asymmetry of the leg alignment would affect trunk bending in the coronal plane after unilateral TKA. Twenty patients (mean 76 years old) with bilateral end-stage knee osteoarthritis (OA) participated. Spine images during relaxed standing were obtained on pre- and postoperative day 21. As a result, the shoulder tilted more to the TKA side and the pelvis inclined more to the contralateral OA side. These results suggested that the trunk would bend away from the contralateral OA side after unilateral TKA in patients with bilateral end-stage knee OA and varus deformity. Asymmetry of the leg alignment led to asymmetric trunk bending.     

全膝关节置换术围手术期隐性失血的危险因素研究

目的探讨影响人工全膝关节置换术（TKA）术后隐性失血的危险因素及发生机制。方法选取2008年5月至2011年5月136位患者192例TKA,患者平均年龄67．5岁,其中单侧膝关节置换80例,双膝关节同期置换56例,同组医师采用同种术式完成,术后24h补液总量不超过2000ml。利用Gross方程,计算患者的术后总失血量,隐性失血量以及血红蛋白降低情况,记录年龄、性别、术侧、BMI、输血等危险因素,通过SPSS13．0进行统计学分析,比较各组之间隐性失血量有无差别,分析影响TKA围手术期隐性失血的危险因素。结果单侧TKA总失血量1650ml,隐性失血830ml;双膝同期置换者总失血量2864ml,隐性失血1487ml。无论是单侧还是双侧TKA,男性及应用自体血回输患者的围手术期失血量多于对照组（P〈0．01）,双膝同期置换隐性失血量比例较大（X^2=6．836,P〈0．01）,高龄肥胖患者隐性失血量明显多于对照组（单膝）X^2=21．587,P〈0．01,双膝X^2=29．233,P〈0．01）。结论TKA术后失血量较高,其中隐性失血比例占50％以上。男性双膝同期置换的患者,年龄〉70且BMI〉27．0,使用自体血回输均是增加围手术期隐性失血的危险因素。     

One-stage bilateral total hip arthroplasty in patients > or = 75 years

Since 1991, 43 one-stage sequential bilateral total hip arthroplasties (THAs) inpatients > or = 75 years have been performed by the authors. The results were assessed to determine whether thiss procedure can be performed safely and with good outcome in this subset of patients. These results were compared to those of 1 36 patients < 75 years who underwent the same procedure. The one-stage bilateral procedure was performed in all patients who had signiificant arthritic disease of both hips. There was no diffference in length of surgery or length of hospital stay. Patients > or = 75 years were more likely to experience minor postoperative morbidity such as ileus and urinary tract infections. The incidence of myocardial ischemia was 2.3% in the elderly group With a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, 90% of the elderly patients lived independently, 80% walked without assistive devices, and 90% were pain free. Therefore, one-stage sequential bilateral THA is a safe and effective option for patients > or = 75 years when pain and functional limitations affect quality of life.     

膝髋关节置换术围手术期血浆D-二聚体动态监测及临床意义

目的探讨膝、髋关节置换（TKA、THA）围手术期患者血浆D-二聚体动态变化规律并对其进行比较。方法采用免疫比浊法于术前、术后1、3、7、14d测定61例TKA、THA患者围手术期血浆D-二聚体水平,其中男15例,女46例;年龄33～82岁,平均（63.62±10.75）岁。TKA手术36例,其中单侧TKA手术25例,19例使用止血带、6例不使用止血带;双侧同期TKA11例,均使用止血带。单侧THA手术25例。术前、术后7d下肢彩超检查有无深静脉血栓形成。结果术前所有患者均未发现DVT,术后有1例单侧TKA发现右胫后静脉深静脉血栓,发生率1.6%。测得患者术前、术后第1、3、7、14第测得的D-二聚体值分别为（0.39±0.41）、（2.18±1.72）、（0.85±0.39）、（1.32±0.85）、（1.38±0.97）μg/ml,其差异具有统计学意义（F=21.873,P〈0.05）。术后第1天达最高峰。单侧TKA组与单侧THA组比较差异有统计学意义（F=4.216,P〈0.05）,其中术后第1天单侧TKA组明显高于单侧THA组（t=2.251,P〈0.05）;单侧TKA组与双侧TKA组比较差异有统计学意义（F=5.944,P〈0.05）,其中术后第7、14天单侧TKA组均明显低于双侧TKA组（t=2.832,P〈0.05;t=3.110,P〈0.05）;单侧TKA止血带组与非止血带组比较差异无统计学意义（F=2.125,P〉0.05）。结论 TKA、THA术后血浆D-二聚体水平均升高;TKA术后血浆D-二聚体水平明显高于THA。双膝同期TKA术后D-二聚体水平高于单侧TKA。     

Differences in Patient-Reported Outcomes Between Unicompartmental and Total Knee Arthroplasties: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis

Background

The purpose of this study was to compare the patient-reported outcomes regarding joint awareness, function, and satisfaction after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

同期双侧与单侧全膝关节置换治疗膝骨关节炎的比较

[目的]比较同期双侧与单侧全膝关节置换术的安全性及临床疗效.[方法]回顾性分析2000年5月～2009年5月,因骨关节炎行硬膜外麻醉下初次全膝关节置换术患者705例,按同期双侧置换(268例)和单侧置换(437例)分为两组,比较两组患者的围手术期并发症、术后失血量、输血量、住院时间、费用与KSS临床及功能评分等各项指标.[结果]存在围手术期并发症的患者比例,双侧组(15.6％)高于单侧组(7.8％),其中心血管系统并发症发生率双侧组(7.3％)高于单侧组(3.2％).感染、死亡、肺栓塞等围手术期并发症发生率,两组之间差异无统计学意义.术后失血量及输血量双侧组高于单侧组.术后2年KSS临床评分两组间差异无统计学意义,KSS功能评分,双侧组高于单侧组,差异有统计学意义.[结论]对于双侧膝骨关节炎的患者,在硬膜外麻醉下行同期双侧全膝关节置换术经济、高效,且有理想的手术疗效.术前应对患者做全面健康评估,对存在严重合并症,尤其是心血管系统疾病患者,应尽量避免行同期双侧全膝关节置换术.     

同期和分期全膝关节置换术治疗双侧膝骨关节炎的比较

目的 探讨和比较同期全膝关节置换术和分期全膝关节置换术分别治疗双侧膝骨关节炎的安全性、经济性和成效性.方法 选取2011年5月至2015年5月于我院接受双侧膝关节初次置换手术的108例双侧膝骨关节炎病人,根据手术方案的不同分为两组:同期全膝关节置换术治疗病人46例(同期组),分期全膝关节置换术治疗病人62例(分期组).收集反应两组病人安全性、经济性和成效性的相关指标进行对比分析.结果 同期组病人和分期组病人在术后病死率、二次手术率、术后30 d再次入院率、并发症发生率等显性安全风险指标比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05);同期组病人术后血红蛋白含量、白蛋白水平、总住院时间均低于分期组,而出血量、引流量、术后输血量等指标高于分期组,差异均有统计学意义(均P<0.05).同期组病人的平均住院费用(不含假体费用)低于分期组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).同期组和分期组在术后3个月、1年的膝关节功能用美国特种外科医院(Hospital for Special Surgery,HSS)膝关节功能评定标准评分、膝关节活动度、屈曲挛缩度、疼痛视觉模拟量表(visual analogue scale,VAS)评分等方面比较,差异均无统计学意义(均P>0.05).结论 对于初次行双侧全膝关节置换的膝骨关节炎病人,在严格的围手术期管理和谨慎评估下,同期双侧置换与分期置换在手术的安全性和成效性上并无显著性差异,但在经济性上前者显著优于后者.     

Safety and efficacy of bilateral total knee arthroplasty

Recent studies have reported increased morbidity associated with bilateral simultaneous total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the morbidity and clinical outcome associated with simultaneous bilateral TKA in contrast to unilateral TKA. All primary TKAs, either unilateral or simultaneous bilateral, performed between May 1988 and July 1993 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were evaluated using Knee Society scores both before surgery and a minimum of 6 months after surgery. In addition to routine demographics, patients were evaluated for the incidence of both local wound and systemic complications. It is concluded that performing simultaneous bilateral TKA does not result in any significant increase in patient morbidity or compromise in postoperative function when compared with unilateral TKA.     

Total knee arthroplasty: Limb length discrepancy and functional outcome

Background:

Limb length discrepancy and its effects on patient function have been discussed in depth in the literature with respect to hip arthroplasty but there are few studies that have examined the effect on function of limb length discrepency following total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The aim of this study was to determine whether limb length discrepancy after TKA in patients with bilateral osteoarthritis of knee with varus deformity affects functional outcome.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty-four patients with bilateral osteoarthritis of knee with varus deformity, who were operated for total knee arthroplasty from 1996 to 2008, were reviewed retrospectively. The patients were divided into two groups. Thirty patients (mean age 64 years) were operated for unilateral TKA and thirty patients (mean age 65.8 years) were operated for bilateral total knee arthroplasty. Six patients underwent staged surgery and were included in both groups as the time interval between the two surgeries was more than the minimum 6-month follow-up period specified for inclusion in the study. The limb length discrepancy was measured and statistically correlated with the functional component of the Knee Society Score.

Result:

In the unilateral group (n=30), the mean limb length discrepancy was 1.53 cm (range: 0-3 cm) and the mean functional score was 73 (range: 45-100). In the bilateral group (n=30), the mean limb length discrepancy was 0.5 cm (range: 0-2 cm) and the mean functional score was 80.67 (range: 0-100). A statistically significant negative correlation was found between limb length discrepancy and functional score in the unilateral group (Spearman correlation coefficient, r =−0.52, P=0.006), while no statistically significant correlation was found in the bilateral group (Spearman correlation coefficient, r = −0.141, P=0.458).

Conclusion:

Limb length discrepancy affects functional outcome after total knee arthroplasty, especially so in patients of bilateral osteoarthritis with varus deformity undergoing surgery of only one knee.