Four-Millimeter Additional Bone Resection in the Distal Femur Does Not Result in an Equivalent Increase in the Extension Joint Gap in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Additional bone resection in the distal femur is performed to increase the extension joint gap in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The present study aimed to analyze the relationship between the amount of additional bone resection in the distal femur and the increase in the extension joint gap in TKA.

Fifty knees undergoing TKA for varus osteoarthritis were evaluated. Two femoral trial component models were prepared: (1) a normal model with 9-mm-thick distal and posterior femoral components and (2) an additional bone resection model with a 5-mm-thick distal femoral component (9 mm to 4 mm) and a 9-mm-thick posterior femoral component, which simulated an additional bone cut in the distal femur of 4 mm. The femoral trial component models were set before implantation, and the extension joint gap was measured using a tensor device that had a shape identical to that of the fixed-bearing tibial insert.

The additional bone resection model had a larger joint gap than the normal model ( P < .01). The mean extension gap increase in the additional bone resection model was 2 (standard deviation 1) mm, which was less than the thickness of the additional bone resection (4 mm) ( P < .01).

The amount of additional bone resection in the distal femur was not equal to the increase in the extension joint gap. Additional bone resection of 4 mm in the distal femur only increased the extension joint gap by a mean of 2 mm.