Influence of Narrow Femoral Implants on Intraoperative Soft Tissue Balance in Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty

Narrow femoral implants were developed to improve fit and prevent overhang in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We compared intraoperative soft tissue balance between standard and narrow implants in posterior-stabilized (PS) TKA.

We enrolled 30 consecutive patients with varus osteoarthritis undergoing PS TKA using an image-free navigation system. Standard and narrow femoral trial implants were inserted, and their soft tissue balance was measured. Subgroup analysis, based on the actual implanted femoral implant, was performed to assess the influence of narrow implants on soft tissue balance.

Narrow trial group had significantly larger joint component gaps than standard trial group at all measured flexion angles, except at 60° ( P < .05). For the standard implant cohort, narrow trial group had significantly larger joint component gaps than standard trial group at 30°, 120°, and 135° flexion ( P < .05). For the narrow implant cohort, narrow trial group had significantly larger joint component gaps than standard trial group at all measured flexion angles, except at 0° and 60° ( P < .05). Narrow trial group had significantly larger varus ligament balance than standard trial group at 45° and 60° flexion ( P < .05). The varus angles for standard implants were comparable between groups; however, narrow trial group had significantly larger varus angles for narrow implants than standard trial group at 45°, 60°, and 120° flexion ( P < .05).

The medial-lateral dimension and volume of the femoral component may influence intraoperative soft tissue balance in PS TKA. The effects may be greater when narrow implants are selected to avoid component overhang.