Function and Quality of Life in Patients With Recurvatum Deformity After Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

The aim of this paper is to assess function and quality of life in patients with recurvatum at 2 years after primary total knee arthroplasty. This prospective study involves 2587 total knee arthroplasty from 2004 to 2008 with 2-year follow-up. Patients’ demographics, diagnosis, implants, range of motion, laxity, and knee and SF-36 scores were recorded. Recurvatum deformity of 0°, 1° to 5°, 6° to 10°, and more than 10° were classified as grades 0, 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Grade 1 had similar functional scores to grade 0 but significantly better SF1, SF4, SF5, and SF8 when compared with grades 2 and 3. Patients with mediolateral translation of more than 5 mm were more likely to have grades 2 and 3 recurvatum (P = .01), indicating global laxity. Postoperative recurvatum of more than 5° significantly impacts function and quality of life of patients.