Comparison of the subvastus and paramedian surgical approaches in bilateral knee arthroplasty

A prospective randomized study was performed on 20 patients undergoing one-stage bilateral knee arthroplasty. One knee was exposed using a standard median parapatellar arthrotomy and the other knee with a subvastus arthrotomy. All patients underwent quantitative strength testing before surgery and at I week, I month, and 3 months after surgery. The knees were also evaluated for range of motion, and patients, who were blinded as to the approach used, completed questionnaires at each evaluation period as to their preference, if any, regarding knee pain and level of function. There was no difference in the range of motion between knees exposed with the paramedian or subvastus arthrotomy at any time period. The subvastus knees demonstrated significantly greater strength at the 1-week and 1-month intervals, but there was no strength difference at the 3-month interval. There were more lateral releases performed in the paramedium knees, and three minor complications were related to the subvastus approach. Patients who expressed a preference chose the subvastus knee 4: 1 over the paramedian knee. The subvastus approach offers a reasonable alternative to the paramedian arthrotomy and preserves greater quadriceps strength in the early postoperative period.     

Association of increased knee flexion and patella clunk syndrome after mini-subvastus total knee arthroplasty

This study reviewed 747 consecutive posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to explain the increased incidence of patella clunk syndrome that occurred when the surgeon switched from a medial parapatellar arthrotomy to a mini-subvastus (MIS) TKA technique. The incidence of patella clunk syndrome increased with increased postoperative knee flexion. Six weeks after surgery, knees that developed patella clunk had a mean flexion of 124 degrees vs 117 degrees for knees that did not develop this syndrome (P = .016). As the MIS approach resulted in increased knee flexion, this approach was indirectly associated with the increased incidence of patella clunk. Knee flexion at 6 weeks postoperatively was 117 degrees for the MIS knees vs 108 degrees for traditional medial parapatellar arthrotomy knees (P < .001). The effect of increased knee flexion achieved with the MIS approach, which resulted in an increase in patella clunk, was mitigated by using a new posterior stabilized femoral component designed to minimize soft tissue entrapment.     

Subvastus versus medial parapatellar approach in total knee arthroplasty

The subvastus approach for total knee replacement was compared with the standard medial parapatellar approach in terms of postoperative knee scores and quadriceps strength. Two groups of patients with similar characteristics were formed: the first group consisted of 12 knees of 9 patients who were implanted via the medial parapatellar approach, and for the second group the subvastus approach was used in 10 knees of 10 patients. The groups' knee scores and quadriceps strength were compared preoperatively and postoperatively at week 6, months 3 and 6. The knee scores improved similarly in both groups, but the change was more pronounced in the subvastus group. Quadriceps strength was greater in the subvastus group at postoperative week 6, but there was no significant difference between the groups in months 3 and 6. It was concluded that although the subvastus approach offers greater quadriceps strength in the early postoperative period, it has no significant advantage in this aspect over the medial parapatellar approach.     

Evaluation of patellar retinacular tension during total knee arthroplasty: Special emphasis on lateral retinacular release

Tension of a suture placed to the patella to close the medial capsule during 35 primary total knee arthroplasties was measured. The increase in tension with flexion after arthrotomy was significantly smaller in 10 knees with a subvastus incision (subvastus group) than in 25 knees with a standard medial parapatellar incision (standard group). With the prosthesis in place, the patella showed maltracking with the no-thumb technique in 1 knee (10%) of the subvastus group and in 9 knees (36%) of the standard group. A lateral retinacular release was performed in 5 of these 10 knees but not in the remaining 5 knees because the increase in tension was a minimum. There was no case of patellar maltracking at an average follow-up period of 2.1 years after surgery, suggesting that a lateral release is not always needed if retinacular tension shows no significant increase, even cases where the patella dislocates with the no-thumb technique.     

Subvastus and medial parapatellar approaches in total knee arthroplasty

This retrospective study compared the outcome of two consecutive groups of patients having primary total knee arthroplasty. The arthroplasties were performed in the first group (169 arthroplasties in 143 patients) from 1988 to 1992 using a medial parapatellar approach, and in the second group (167 arthroplasties in 148 patients) from 1992 to 1996 using a subvastus approach. The patient outcomes were evaluated at 6 months, and were based on clinical and radiographic measures, occurrence of intraoperative lateral retinacular release, and incidence of postoperative patellar subluxation. There were no significant differences between the two groups for range of motion, Knee Society knee and function scores, and stair climbing ability. The patella tracked centrally in significantly more knees with the subvastus approach (139 of 167 knees, 83%) than with the parapatellar approach (107 of 169 knees, 63%). There were significantly fewer knees in the subvastus group requiring a lateral retinacular release (62 of 167 knees, 37%), compared with the parapatellar group (113 of 169 knees, 67%). The authors concluded that the subvastus approach led to improved patellar tracking and stability. Although the surgical and rehabilitative protocols were identical for both groups, the results may have been affected by changing circumstances during the 9-year period of the study.     

Muscle torques in total knee arthroplasty with subvastus and parapatellar approaches

The current study was designed to compare muscle torques when using the subvastus and parapatellar approaches for unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Twelve female patients had unilateral total knee arthroplasty with the subvastus approach from January 1997 to June 1998. The historic control group consisted of 16 female patients who had unilateral total knee arthroplasty with the parapatellar approach from July 1994 to January 1997. Six and 12 months after surgery, a Cybex dynamometer was used to measure isometric and isokinetic muscle strength. Two parameters were used to compare the two approaches, the first parameter was the difference in peak torque between the surgically treated knee and the baseline value for the healthy knee, and the second parameter was the hamstring to quadriceps peak-torque ratio, again using the value for the healthy knee as baseline. The subvastus approach resulted in an initial higher peak torque in the quadriceps 6 months after surgery, but this difference became insignificant 12 months postoperative. Using the subvastus approach, the hamstring to quadriceps peak-torque ratio reached the normal range (0.50-0.80) sooner than was the case using the parapatellar approach. There is a phenomenon of cross adaptation of the untreated knee to the surgically treated knee, and knees operated on by the subvastus approach showed functional recovery at an earlier date than those operated on by the parapatellar approach.     

The impact of minimally invasive surgical techniques on early range of motion after primary total knee arthroplasty

A single surgeon performed 200 consecutive primary total knee arthroplasties using identical implants. One hundred of these were done using a traditional medial parapatellar arthrotomy. The other knees were done using a medial parapatellar approach combined with minimally invasive surgical techniques. Patients in the minimal incision group had shorter incision length, shorter length of stay, and less pain (P < .01). Moreover, those patients in the minimal incision group had less flexion contracture (P < .05) and better flexion (P < .05) in the first 12 weeks. Manipulation was necessary in 14% of the traditional group compared with 2% in the minimal incision group (P < .001). There was no significant difference in range of motion or functional outcome at 1 year after surgery. There was no significant difference in component position or complication rates.     

Comparison of early postoperative rehabilitation outcome following total knee arthroplasty using different surgical approaches and instrumentation

PURPOSE: To assess early postoperative rehabilitation outcome following computer-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or standard instrumentation TKA using a medial parapatellar or subvastus approach. METHODS: A prospective controlled trial of 70 consecutive patients undergoing TKA with a low contact stress rotating platform prosthesis was conducted. Patients were randomised to receive surgery with either computer navigation or standard instrumentation. A medial parapatellar or subvastus approach was used according to the surgeons' preference. Outcome measures included preoperative knee function, intra-operative factors, and postoperative rehabilitation. RESULTS: Duration of surgery was significantly longer when using computer navigation; however, operating time decreased with greater experience. A higher incidence and duration of early postoperative quadriceps dysfunction was associated with computer-assisted TKA through the medial parapatellar approach than through the subvastus approach or TKA performed with standard instrumentation. No patient who received surgery through the subvastus approach had a lag of more than 20 degrees, at 48 hours postoperatively, regardless of the instrumentation used. CONCLUSION: Computer-assisted TKA through a medial parapatellar approach was associated with delayed recovery of the quadriceps during early postoperative rehabilitation. This was due to the additional quadriceps dissection required to place the femoral tracking array. The subvastus approach is therefore recommended for computer-assisted TKA.     

股肌下结合微斜切入路全膝关节置换术治疗膝外翻

目的评估股肌下结合微斜切入路(SMOC)实施人工全膝关节置换术治疗膝关节外翻畸形的可行性及早期临床效果。 方法回顾性分析2015年4月至2017年10月在青岛大学附属医院关节外科50例(60膝)行初次人工膝关节置换术治疗并获得完整随访的膝外翻患者，排除年龄> 85岁、既往膝关节手术史及身体质量指数> 30 kg/m²的患者。男13例，女37例，年龄平均(60±8)岁。诊断为类风湿性关节炎42例52膝，骨关节炎5例5膝，创伤性关节炎3例3膝。采用SMOC入路行人工全膝关节置换术患者25例(31膝)，内侧髌旁入路者25例(29膝)。记录并比较两组患者的术前一般资料、血红蛋白、视觉模拟评分法(VAS)、美国特种外科医院(HSS)评分、膝关节被动活动度(ROM)、外翻角度；手术时间、术中出血量、外侧支持带松解率、术后2 d血红蛋白含量、术后引流量、输血率、直腿抬高时间、辅助镇痛药物使用情况、术后下肢力线、髌股适合角；24 h VAS，以及术后1周HSS评分及膝关节ROM，独立样本t检验或卡方检验比较分析两组差异。 结果术前一般资料两组无差异(P>0.05)，随访期间无感染及假体松动等并发症。术后外翻膝均得到矫正，两组在手术时间、术中出血量、术后引流量、术后2 d血红蛋白含量、输血率、术后下肢力线、髌股适合角方面两组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)；SMOC组在直腿抬高时间(t＝10.500，P<0.01)、外侧支持带松解率(χ² ＝5.711，P<0.05)、辅助镇痛药使用(χ² ＝9.934，P<0.01)方面优于内侧髌旁入路。术后24 h VAS评分SMOC组低于髌旁组(t＝10.540，P<0.001)、1周HSS评分(t＝8.110，P<0.001)及ROM(t＝2.085，P<0.05)，SMOC组低于髌旁组。 结论利用SMOC入路全膝置换术可有效治疗膝外翻畸形，与髌旁入路相比，髌外侧支持带松解率更低，可获得更快速的近期康复效果。     

Surgical Approaches in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis Comparing the Midvastus and Subvastus to the Medial Peripatellar Approach

Subvastus, midvastus and medial parapatellar approaches are the most popular approaches in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the superior approach in TKA still remains controversial. We therefore conducted a meta-analysis to quantitatively compare the midvastus and subvastus approaches to the medial parapatellar approach in TKA. A total of 32 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with 2451 TKAs in 2129 patients were included in this study. The meta-analysis suggested that, when compared with the medial parapatellar approach, the midvastus approach showed better outcomes in pain and knee range of motion at postoperative 1–2 weeks but also was associated with longer operative time; the subvastus approach showed better outcomes in knee range of motion at postoperative 1 week, straight leg raise and lateral retinacular release.     

Subvastus and medial parapatellar approaches in TKA: comparison of functional results

The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical results of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in the early and late postoperative period using subvastus and medial parapatellar approach. A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted in a group of 169 patients (180 TKAs) with 2-year follow-up. Patients were divided into a study group (97 TKAs) with a subvastus approach and a control group (83 TKAs) with a parapatellar approach. Assessment of the results of both operating approaches was based on functional, clinical Knee Society Score, and pain (visual analog scale). Patients in the subvastus group achieved full active extension, better range of motion, and better Knee Society Score results at 12 days, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks earlier than patients in the medial parapatellar group. They also had less pain at 12 days. No statistically significant differences existed between assessed end points in both groups at 24- and 52-weeks, and 24-months postoperatively. The subvastus approach has given patients better early clinical results; however, at longer follow-up, both groups had similar outcomes. The potential benefits of the subvastus approach are: protection of the extensor mechanism from damage, less risk of damaging the blood supply to the patella, earlier clinical recovery, and less pain in the early postoperative period. The subvastus approach is an alternative to the standard medial parapatellar approach in TKA. It can be used with equally good results, especially taking into consideration positive clinical aspects in the early postoperative period.     

Outcome of subvastus approach in elderly nonobese patients undergoing bilateral simultaneous total knee arthroplasty: A randomized controlled study

Background:

Subvastus approach in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) spares the quadriceps and may assist in faster rehabilitation. The present randomised controlled study was conducted to determine if the subvastus approach results in early recovery, faster mobilization, shorter hospital stay, and improved function.

Materials and Methods:

100 patients undergoing simultaneous bilateral TKA were randomized into two groups: subvastus group and medial parapatellar group. The patients were assessed clinically using VAS, time to straight leg raise, ability to stand with walker, ability to use a commode chair, ability to climb stairs, flexion at discharge, and day of discharge. Perioperative blood loss and duration of surgery were also compared. The patient were kept on same pain management and physiotherapy protocol. The evaluation was done at day 0,1,3 and at discharge. Statistical analyses tested the null hypotheses of no differences in patients treated with either group at 95% significance level (P < 0.05).

Results:

The VAS score was significantly lower in subvastus group on day 1 and day 3. Also mean hospital stay was 2.04 days less in subvastus group. Patients with subvastus approach were able to perform straight leg raising 0.44 days earlier. Though time to stand with walker was same for both groups, the ability to use commode chair, and climb stairs was significantly early (P < 0.05) in the subvastus group. The average flexion at the time of discharge in subvastus and parapatellar group were 100.8 and 96.8°, respectively. The mean perioperative blood loss in subvastus group and parapatellar group were 343 ml and 372 ml, respectively. Average surgical time required for subvastus approach and parapatellar approach were 108.5 and 94.3 min, respectively.

Conclusions:

Subvastus approach produce appreciably less pain and faster mobilization due to lesser insult to quadriceps, thus assisting in early rehabilitation, shorter hospital stay, less expenditure, and more patient satisfaction.     

Simultaneous femoral osteotomy and total knee arthroplasty for treatment of osteoarthritis associated with severe extra-articular deformity

BACKGROUND: In the presence of large extra-articular deformity, complex imbalance of the collateral ligaments may result if standard techniques of soft-tissue releases and intra-articular bone resection are used during total knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this paper is to review our experience with simultaneous corrective osteotomy and total knee arthroplasty for the treatment of severe extra-articular femoral deformity associated with ipsilateral osteoarthritis of the knee. METHODS: The results of simultaneous corrective osteotomy and total knee arthroplasty in eleven knees with osteoarthritis and associated extra-articular angular deformity of the femur were reviewed retrospectively. The femoral deformity resulted from fracture malunion in ten knees and from hypophosphatemic rickets in one. There were five primarily uniplanar deformities (four varus deformities and one antecurvatum deformity), five biplanar (varus and antecurvatum) deformities, and one triplanar (varus, antecurvatum, and internal rotation) deformity. Four knees were approached through a standard medial parapatellar arthrotomy and seven, through an anterolateral subvastus approach with an osteotomy of the tibial tubercle. The site of the femoral osteotomy was fixed with a blade-plate in seven patients, a press-fit long-stemmed femoral component in two, and a retrograde femoral nail in two. An extramedullary alignment system was utilized in eight patients, and intramedullary alignment was used in three. RESULTS: The duration of follow-up averaged forty-six months (range, twenty-six to eighty-eight months). According to the classification system of the Knee Society, the mean function score increased from 22 points preoperatively to 81 points at the time of follow-up and the mean knee score increased from 10 points preoperatively to 87 points at the time of follow-up. The mean flexion contracture decreased from 19 degrees preoperatively to 2 degrees at the time of follow-up. The arc of motion averaged 56 degrees (range, 30 to 75 degrees) preoperatively and 89 degrees (range, 65 to 115 degrees) at the time of follow-up. The mechanical alignment in the coronal plane was restored to within 2 degrees of normal in each patient. Ten femoral osteotomy sites healed, and one, in a patient treated with a press-fit long-stemmed femoral component, had not healed by the time of follow-up. All seven sites of the tibial tubercle osteotomies healed. There were no complete radiolucent lines at the prosthetic interfaces, and no total knee arthroplasty was revised. One patient had a nonfatal postoperative pulmonary embolism. As determined by clinical examination and the patients' assessment of function, no ligament imbalance was noted at the time of the most recent follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous femoral osteotomy and total knee arthroplasty is a technically difficult but effective treatment for patients with severe femoral deformity associated with ipsilateral osteoarthritis of the knee. We recommend that the femoral osteotomy site be secured with a plate or a locked intramedullary nail, depending on the location of the deformity and the subsequent osteotomy.     

Water-tight knee arthrotomy closure: comparison of a novel single bidirectional barbed self-retaining running suture versus conventional interrupted sutures

Standard medial parapatellar arthrotomies of 10 cadaveric knees were closed with either conventional interrupted absorbable sutures (control group, mean of 19.4 sutures) or a single running knotless bidirectional barbed absorbable suture (experimental group). Water-tightness of the arthrotomy closure was compared by simulating a tense hemarthrosis and measuring arthrotomy leakage over 3 minutes. Mean total leakage was 356 mL and 89 mL in the control and experimental groups, respectively (p = 0.027). Using 8 of the 10 knees (4 closed with control sutures, 4 closed with an experimental suture), a tense hemarthrosis was again created, and iatrogenic suture rupture was performed: a proximal suture was cut at 1 minute; a distal suture was cut at 2 minutes. The impact of suture rupture was compared by measuring total arthrotomy leakage over 3 minutes. Mean total leakage was 601 mL and 174 mL in the control and experimental groups, respectively (p = 0.3). In summary, using a cadaveric model, arthrotomies closed with a single bidirectional barbed running suture were statistically significantly more water-tight than those closed using a standard interrupted technique. The sample size was insufficient to determine whether the two closure techniques differed in leakage volume after suture rupture.     

Surgical approaches in mini-incision total knee arthroplasty

Mini-incision total knee arthroplasty can be accomplished through versions of exposures used in standard total knee arthroplasty. Modifications of the medial parapatellar, subvastus, and midvastus approaches are presented, and potential advantages and disadvantages of each approach are reviewed. When making the transition to smaller incisions and arthrotomies, the medial parapatellar seems to be the most versatile. The ability to do a total knee arthroplasty through a mini incision, and ultimately the success of the procedure, will depend on appropriate patient selection.     

Comparison of the vastus-splitting and median parapatellar approaches for primary total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized study

BACKGROUND: A vastus-splitting approach for total knee arthroplasty has been advocated to preserve function of the extensor mechanism and to decrease the prevalence of lateral release. Critics have claimed that there is greater blood loss and compromised exposure in large patients who are managed with this approach. The purpose of the present study was to compare vastus-splitting and median parapatellar approaches for primary total knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Forty-two consecutive patients (fifty-one knees) undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty were randomized to treatment with a median parapatellar or vastus-splitting approach. The interval of the vastus muscle split was marked with radiopaque vascular clips. Surgical data, functional parameters, and preoperative and postoperative electromyograms were assessed. RESULTS: Early (six-month) and intermediate-term (five-year) follow-up showed no differences in functional parameters, tourniquet time, or the frequency of patellar resurfacing. Significantly more lateral releases (p < 0.01) and greater blood loss (p = 0.03) occurred in the median parapatellar group. Nine (43%) of twenty-one knees in the vastus-splitting group had abnormal electromyographic findings at six months postoperatively, whereas all patients in the median parapatellar group had normal findings. Seven knees with abnormal electromyographic findings at six months had normal findings when restudied at five years; in each of these knees, the vastus split had been developed bluntly. The other two knees with abnormal findings at six months had had sharp dissection for the muscle split. Both of these knees had chronic changes, one with changes indicative of reinnervation and the other with ongoing denervation, but neither demonstrated functional compromise. CONCLUSIONS: The vastus-splitting approach offers a viable alternative to the median parapatellar approach for primary total knee arthroplasty that reduces the need for lateral retinacular release without impairment of quadriceps function. Electromyographic abnormalities in the quadriceps muscle have no functional consequence and most likely represent reversible neurapraxic injury that may be avoided by blunt dissection in the vastus medialis muscle.     

Comparison between suprapatellar and parapatellar approaches for intramedullary nailing of the tibia. Cadaveric study

Intramedullary nailing is one viable option for treating fractures of the tibia with a short, proximal segment. For a procedure being carried out with the knee in a semi-extended position, either a suprapatellar or parapatellar approach may be used. The objective of this study is to demonstrate whether the entry point for tibia nails is obtainable through suprapatellar or parapatellar approaches and to evaluate the most frequent injuries of the knee with these two approaches.Materials and methodsPaired legs from 10 fresh frozen cadavers were used. An arthroscopy was performed in each knee, documenting the status of the knee prior to the insertion of the tibia nail. In a random manner, the left or right leg underwent nailing with a suprapatellar or parapatellar approach in a semi-extended position. Fluoroscopy was utilized in each case to localize the entry point, and a tibia nail was inserted in all cases. A knee arthrotomy was then performed and the status of the following structures was assessed: patella and trochlea cartilage, tibia plateau cartilage, inter-meniscal ligament, lateral and medial meniscus, and the ACL.ResultsThe correct fluoroscopy entry point was achieved in all of the specimens (20). Three legs (3/10) with parapatellar approach had intra-articular disruption. In legs with a suprapatellar approach, patellar cartilage and trochlea cartilage damage was found in two of the specimens, respectively. There was one specimen with cartilage damage in the parapatellar approach. There were no meniscal injuries. Partial laceration of the intermeniscal ligament was found in three of the knees for each approach. One ACL injury was found in the suprapatellar group. Mean distance from the entry point to major structures is not significantly different with either approach. (p = 0.45).ConclusionsA good fluoroscopic entry point can be achieved using either the parapatellar or suprapatellar approach. The parapatellar approach for tibia nailing has similar rate of soft tissue damage compared to the suprapatellar approach. The suprapatellar approach damaged the cartilage in one-third of the cases and if cartilage injury occurs with the parapatellar approach, this is located in a low risk area.     

Total Knee Arthroplasty for Valgus Deformity via a Lateral Approach: Clinical Results,Comparison to Medial Approach,and Review of Recent Literature

BackgroundTotal knee arthroplasty (TKA) for valgus deformity is a challenge. The standard medial parapatellar approach may not be universally useful for this. We have adopted the lateral approach to valgus knees. Here we describe our experience with this approach, present early results, and compare them to the medial approach.MethodsOur institutional registry was queried for all patients with valgus deformity who underwent a TKA via a lateral approach between 2013 and 2016. The registry was also queried for patients with valgus deformity who underwent a TKA through a medial approach in previous years and this data was compared to the study group.ResultsSeventy-nine valgus knees in 72 patients were operated through a lateral approach. Deformity was corrected by 10.8°, from 16.2° to 5.4° (P < .001). Patellar tilt improved from −2.3° to 0.3° (P = .037). Seven implants (9%) were constrained. Mean operating time was 87 minutes (range 53-137). Twenty-five knees in 23 patients were operated via the medial approach. Deformity was corrected by 7.3°, from 13.2° to 5.9° (P < .001). Mean operating time was 137 minutes (range 90-230). Constrained implants were used in 16% of cases. The lateral approach allowed better correction of valgus deformity (10.8 vs 7.3, P = .03) and shorter operative times (87 vs 137 minutes, P < .001).ConclusionA lateral approach TKA for valgus deformity improves knee alignment and patellar tilt. Compared to the medial approach, it allows better correction of the deformity, shorter operating times, and perhaps less use of constrained implants.     

Comparison of the modified subvastus and medial parapatellar approaches in total knee arthroplasty

In this paper, we evaluated the difference between the modified subvastus approach and the medial parapatellar approach in total knee arthroplasty(TKA). We assessed the time of active straight-leg raise (SLR) post-operatively and the range of flexion of the operated knee at the tenth post-operative day, 6 weeks and 6 months, 12 months and 3 years. We investigated the degree of the patellar tilt and subluxation 24 months post-operatively. The patients who underwent the modified subvastus approach performed active SLR earlier (mean 0.5 days) than the medial parapatellar approach patients (mean 2.2 days). Knee flexion was better at the tenth post-operative day in the modified subvastus approach group compared to the medial parapatellar approach group. There was no statistical difference between the two groups with regard to the patellar tilt and subluxation. We conclude that the modified subvastus approach is recommendable in primary TKA.

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Résumé  Nous avons évalué la différence entre l’abord médial para patellaire et l’abord modifié subvastus lors de la mise en place d’une prothèse totale du genou. Nous avons apprécié le temps de récupération post-opératoire de l’extension active du genou et le degré de flexion de celui-ci à 10 jours, 6 semaines, 6, 12 et 36 mois. Nous avons également exploré les complications rotuliennes, notamment subluxations à 24 mois. Les patients ayant bénéficié d’un abord subvastus récupèrent une extension active plus précoce (en moyenne de 0,5 jours), contre 2,2 jours pour l’abord médian. L’amélioration de la flexion du genou est également meilleure à 10 jours post-opératoire dans ce groupe. Il n’y a pas de différence significative entre ces deux groupes en ce qui concerne les problèmes rotuliens. Nous pensons que l’abord subvastus est à recommander dans la mise en place d’une prothèse totale du genou.

     

Early results of subvastus versus medial parapatellar approach in primary total knee arthroplasty

Introduction To evaluate the clinical and radiographic results immediately after total knee arthroplasty, we compared the parapatellar and subvastus approach.Materials and methods Fifty-two patients with osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to two groups. The measurement was based on clinical and radiographic features.Results There was a significant difference in passive range of motion. Patients in the subvastus approach group revealed a full knee extension and flexion of 90° significantly earlier than those in the parapatellar group. However, on the day of discharge, both groups were comparable. Radiological assessment revealed analogous results in both groups. Correction of varus or valgus deformity was required in 48 patients.Conclusion Regardless of the surgical approach, the anteroposterior tibial femoral angle improved significantly in both groups. Concerning pain, operation time, blood loss, blood substitution and complications, no major differences could be seen.