Impact of Soft Tissue Imbalance on Knee Flexion Angle After Posterior Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty

This study was performed to assess the impact of soft tissue imbalance on the knee flexion angle 2 years after posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

A total of 329 consecutive varus knees were included to assess the association of knee flexion angle 2 years after TKA with preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative variables. All intraoperative soft tissue measurements were performed by a single surgeon under spinal anesthesia in a standardized manner including the subvastus approach, reduced patella, and without use of a pneumonic tourniquet.

Multiple linear regression analysis showed no significant correlations in terms of intraoperative valgus imbalance at 90-degree flexion or the difference in soft tissue tension between 90-degree flexion and 0-degree extension (β = −0.039; 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.88 to 0.80; P = .93 and β = 0.015; 95% CI, −0.29 to 0.32; P = .92, respectively). Preoperative flexion angle was significantly correlated with knee flexion angle 2 years after TKA (β = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.51; P < .0001).

Avoiding valgus imbalance at 90-degree flexion and aiming for strictly equal soft tissue tension between 90-degree flexion and 0-degree extension had little practical value with regard to knee flexion angle 2 years after posterior stabilized TKA.