ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Optimal soft-tissue management in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) may reduce symptomatic instability. We hypothesized that TKA outcomes using a computer-assisted dynamic ligament balancer that acquires medial and lateral gap sizes throughout the motion arc would show improved Knee Society Scores (KSS) compared to TKAs done with a traditional tensioner at 0 and 90°. We also sought to quantify the degree to which the planned femoral rotation chosen to optimize medio-lateral balance throughout the arc of motion deviated from the femoral rotation needed to achieve a rectangular flexion gap at 90° alone. METHODS: Baseline demographics, clinical outcomes, KSSs, and femoral rotations were compared in 100 consecutive, computer-assisted TKAs done with the balancer (balancer group) to the immediately prior 100 consecutive computer-assisted TKAs done without the balancer (control group). Minimum follow-up was 13 months and all patients had osteoarthritis. Mean knee motion did not differ preoperatively (110.1 ± 13.6° balancer, 110.4 ± 12.5° control, P = .44) or postoperatively (119.1 ± 10.3° balancer, 118.8 ± 10.9° control, P = .42). Tourniquet times did not differ (93.1 ± 13.0 minutes balancer, 90.7 ± 13.0 minutes control, P = .13). Postoperative length of stay differed (40.2 ± 20.9 hours balancer, 49.0 ± 18.3 hours control, P = .0009). There were 14 readmissions (7 balancer, 7 control), 11 adverse events (4 balancer, 7 control), and 3 manipulations (1 balancer, 2 control). The cohorts were compared using Student's t-tests, Shapiro-Wilk normalities, Wilcoxon rank-sums, and multivariable logistic regression analyses. RESULTS: Postoperative KSS improvements were higher in the balancer group (P < .0001). In multivariable regression analyses, the balancer group experienced 7 ± 2 point improvement in KSS Knee scores (P < .0001) and 4 ± 2 point improvement in KSS Function scores (P = .040) compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: The statistically and clinically significant improvements in postoperative KSS demonstrated in the balancer cohort are likely driven by improved stability throughout the motion arc. Further study is warranted to evaluate replicability by non-design surgeons.