Clinical outcome, functional outcome and patient satisfaction after cruciate retaining total knee arthroplasty for stiff arthritic knee - A short term outcome study.

BACKGROUND: Various authors have shown that Cruciate Retaining (CR) Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) has better long-term survivorship compared to Posterior Stabilized (PS), however most arthroplasty surgeons tend to use PS knees in patients with severe deformity and stiffness. There is limited data correlating stiffness and CR versus PS design. The aim of our study was to assess the outcome of CR TKA for patients with stiff arthritic knee. MATERIALS & METHODS: We evaluated the results of 30 knees with osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis and preoperative stiffness (ROM 15-90°), who had been treated with CR TKA with a mean follow up of 2 years. The primary outcome variable measures were improvement in the flexion, flexion deformity (FFD) and overall improvement in the arc of motion. Patients were also evaluated by Knee Society Score (KSS), WOMAC score and 5-point Likert scale for patient satisfaction. RESULT: At the time of final follow-up, the mean arc of motion improved from 75° preoperatively to 108° postoperatively and it was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Similar improvement was noted for FFD (15.43° to 0.83° (p < 0.001)), maximum flexion from 90.9° to 109.1° (p < 0.001), KSS clinical from 37.67 to 87.47 (p < 0.001), KSS functional from 58.5 to 93.83 (p < 0.001), WOMAC from 76.73 to 7.63 (p < 0.001). Further, the Likert Scale for patient satisfaction was excellent for 90% of the patients. CONCLUSION: This study clearly shows that the routine use of PS design for complex stiff knees has questionable scientific intent and standard CR TKA design in stiff knees can produce excellent outcome. Since there is slight preponderance of data pointing towards improved longevity with CR design, it would be a better option for the patients with longer life expectancy.

Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using patellar bone tendon autograft and Rigidfix fixation - A midterm functional outcome.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic reconstruction of torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) with bone patellar tendon bone autograft (BTB) has become the gold standard in treating ACL tear with high success rate. The purpose of this study was to prospectively evaluate the functional outcome after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using BTB via Rigidfix femoral fixation. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We evaluated the result of 21 knees that have been treated with arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using BTB autograft for femoral fixation and bioabsorbable interference screw for tibia from March 2014 to August 2015. The mean follow up period was 18 months. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The Lysholm score postoperatively was 89.04. 23.8% of the 21 patients have good to excellent outcome, 66.7% patients have good to fair outcome and 9.5% patient have fair outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.