Complete knee prosthesis in severe genu valgum. Retrospective review of 90 knees surgically treated through the anterio-external approach
Lootvoet, L.; Blouard, E.; Himmer, O.; Ghosez, J.P.
Acta Orthopaedica Belgica 63(4): 278-286
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6462 PMID: 9479782 Document Number: 474628
The authors have made a retrospective study of 90 total knee arthroplasties performed through a lateral approach in knees with a valgus deformity superior or equal to 10 degrees. The mean function score increased from 35.9 to 73.2 postoperatively; the mean knee score increased from 60.2 to 93.6. Radiological evaluation of the mechanical angle (HKA) showed 16 degrees of valgus deviation preoperatively versus only 1.5 degrees of valgus post-operatively. A strict operative technique using a lateral approach in severe valgus knee deformity makes it possible to reproducibly achieve joint stability with good mobility and a neutral mechanical axis in total knee arthroplasty.