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.
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 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 develop a neural network architecture based on deep learning to assist knee CT images automatic segmentation, and validate its accuracy. Methods A knee CT scans database was established, and the bony structure was manually annotated. A deep learning neural network architecture was developed independently, and the labeled database was used to train and test the neural network. Metrics of Dice coefficient, average surface distance (ASD), and Hausdorff distance (HD) were calculated to evaluate the accuracy of the neural network. The time of automatic segmentation and manual segmentation was compared. Five orthopedic experts were invited to score the automatic and manual segmentation results using Likert scale and the scores of the two methods were compared. Results The automatic segmentation achieved a high accuracy. The Dice coefficient, ASD, and HD of the femur were 0.953±0.037, (0.076±0.048) mm, and (3.101±0.726) mm, respectively; and those of the tibia were 0.950±0.092, (0.083±0.101) mm, and (2.984±0.740) mm, respectively. The time of automatic segmentation was significantly shorter than that of manual segmentation [(2.46±0.45) minutes vs. (64.73±17.07) minutes; t=36.474, P<0.001). The clinical scores of the femur were 4.3±0.3 in the automatic segmentation group and 4.4±0.2 in the manual segmentation group, and the scores of the tibia were 4.5±0.2 and 4.5±0.3, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups (t=1.753, P=0.085; t=0.318, P=0.752). Conclusion The automatic segmentation of knee CT images based on deep learning has high accuracy and can achieve rapid segmentation and three-dimensional reconstruction. This method will promote the development of new technology-assisted techniques in total knee arthroplasty.
ObjectiveTo compare the application effects between personal specific instrumentation (PSI) and computer-assisted navigation surgery (CAS) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). MethodsThe literature comparing the application effects of PSI and CAS in TKA in recent years was widely consulted, and the difference between PSI-TKA and CAS-TKA in operation time, lower limb alignment, blood loss, and knee function were compared. ResultsCompared to CAS-TKA, PSI-TKA simplifies operation procedures and shortens operation time but probably has worse lower limb alignment. It is still controversial in comparison of perioperative blood loss and knee function between two techniques. ConclusionPSI-TKA and CAS-TKA both have advantages and disadvantages, and their differences need to be confirmed by further high-quality clinical trial.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of digital three-dimensional (3D) printing osteotomy guide plate assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) patients with femoral internal implants. Methods The clinical data of 55 KOA patients who met the selection criteria between July 2021 and October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 26 cases combined with femoral implants were treated with digital 3D printing osteotomy guide plate assisted TKA (guide plate group), and 29 cases were treated with conventional TKA (control group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, body mass index, side, Kellgren-Lawrence classification, preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, knee range of motion, and other baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, postoperative first ambulation time, surgical complications; VAS score, knee HSS score, knee range of motion before operation, at 1 week and 3 months after operation, and at last follow-up; distal femoral lateral angle, proximal tibial medial angle, hip-knee-ankle angle and other imaging indicators at last follow-up were recorded and compared between the two groups. ResultsThe operation time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative first ambulation time in the guide plate group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). In the control group, there were 1 case of incision rupture and bleeding and 1 case of lower limb intermuscular venous thrombosis, which was cured after symptomatic treatment. There was no complication such as neurovascular injury, incision infection, or knee prosthesis loosening in both groups. Patients in both groups were followed up 12-26 months, with an average of 16.25 months. The VAS score, HSS score, and knee range of motion improved at each time point after operation in both groups, and further improved with time after operation, the differences were significant (P<0.05). The above indicators in the guide plate group were significantly better than those in the control group at 1 week and 3 months after operation (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at last follow-up (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the distal femoral lateral angle, the proximal tibial medial angle, and the hip-knee-ankle angle in the guide plate group were significantly better than those in the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion The application of digital 3D printing osteotomy guide plate assisted TKA in the treatment of KOA patients with femoral implants can simplify the surgical procedures, overcome limitations of conventional osteotomy guides, reduce surgical trauma, achieve individualized and precise osteotomy, and effectively restore lower limb alignment and knee joint function.
Objective To introduce the concept and clinical applications of rotational alignment of the femoral prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) so as to avoide the postoperative complications caused by rotational alignment. Methods The clinical and experimental research literature about rotational alignment of the femoral prosthesis in TKA was extensively reviewed and analyzed. Results Femoral prosthesis malrotation can lead to flexion gap unbalanced and undesirable patellar track. Rotation alignment of the femoral prosthesis is defined with radiological and computer assisted technique at pre- and post-operation, which can make the rotation alignment of the femoral prosthesis and the function of the knee favorable. Conclusion In recent years, many surgical skills and new techniques of defining the rotational alignment are developed, and good clinical results are achieved.
ObjectiveTo summarize the application and research progress of robotic-arm in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsRelevant literature at home and abroad was extensively reviewed to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of robotic-arm assisted TKA (RATKA).ResultsAccurate reconstruction of lower extremity alignment and rotation alignment, accurate osteotomy and implant prosthesis in TKA are very important to improve the effectiveness and prolong the life of the prosthesis. Traditional TKA deviations occur in key links such as osteotomy due to operator’s operation. RATKA solves the above problems to a certain extent and can assist accurate osteotomy and implant prosthesis, and protect the soft tissues around the knee joint. Patients’ satisfaction after RATKA is high, and the operator’s learning curve is shorter, which improves the efficiency of the operation. But it also has disadvantages such as prolonged operation time, increased complications and medical costs.ConclusionPreliminary clinical application studies have shown that RATKA has satisfactory effectiveness, but its definite advantages compared with traditional TKA need to be confirmed by a large number of randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the application and effectiveness of bilateral total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty in the treatment of severe inflammatory arthropathies. MethodsBetween September 2008 and September 2015, 31 patients with severe inflammatory arthropathies were treated with bilateral total hip arthroplasty and total knee arthroplasty. Of 31 cases, 22 were male and 9 were female with an average age of 30 years (range, 20 to 41 years); there were 15 cases of rheumatoid arthritis and 16 cases of ankylosing spondylitis with an average onset age of 14 years (range, 5-28 years); all 4 ankylosed joints were observed in 11 cases, 3 ankylosed joints in 2 cases, 2 ankylosed joints in 6 cases, 1 ankylosed joint in 1 case, and no ankylosed joint in 11 cases. Before operation, the hip range of motion (ROM) value was (17.82±28.18)°, and the knee ROM value score was (26.45±30.18)°; the hip Harris score was 29.64±11.58, and the hospital for special surgery (HSS) score was 27.07±11.04. The patients were grouped and compared in accordance with etiology and ankylosed joint. ResultsOne-stage arthroplasty was performed in 1 case, two-stage arthroplasty in 22 cases, three-stage arthroplasty in 7 cases, and four-stage arthroplasty in 1 case. The total operation time was 325-776 minutes; the total blood loss was 900-3 900 mL; the total transfusion volume was 2 220-8 070 mL; and the total hospitalization time was 21-65 days. The patients were followed up 12-94 months (mean, 51 months). The hip and knee ROM values, Harris score and HSS score at last follow-up were significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones (P < 0.05). The subjective satisfaction degree was good in 16 cases, moderate in 10 cases, and poor in 5 cases. Periprosthetic infection occurred in 2 cases (3 knees), joint stiffness in 3 cases (6 knees), joint instability in 1 case (1 knee), leg length discrepancy of > 2 cm in 2 cases, and flexion deformity of 10° in 1 case (1 knee). The hip and knee ROM values, Harris score and HSS score showed no significant difference between patients with ankylosing spondylitis and patients rheumatoid arthritis at last follow-up (P > 0.05). The hip and knee ROM values of the patients with ankylosed joint were significantly lower than those of patients with no ankylosed joint (P < 0.05); the Harris score and HSS score of the patients with ankylosed joint were lower than those of patients with no ankylosed joint, but no significant difference was found (P > 0.05). ConclusionA combination of bilateral hip and knee arthroplasty is an efficient treatment for severe lower extremities deformity, arthralgia and poor quality of life caused by inflammatory arthropathies. However, the postoperative periprosthetic infection and stiffness of knee are important complications influencing the effectiveness of operation.