Effect of Posterior Femoral Clearance on Knee Flexion in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Choy, Won Sik; Lee, Hang Ho; Lee, Young Keun; Kim, Kap Jung; Sung, Hwan Il

Abstract

PURPOSE
To analyze the effect of clearing the protruding posterior femoral condyle from the femoral component (PFC: Posterior femoral clearance) on knee flexion in patients who underwent LCS(R) rotating platform TKA.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twelve patients were male and one hundred seventy-eight patients were female. The patients were divided into the following two groups: Group A (62 patients 84 knees), TKA without PFC; and Group B (128 patients 182 knees), TKA with PFC. The clinical and radiology follow-up were carried out using the HSS score and tibiofemoral angle, and the possibility of squatting was evaluated in each group, respectively.
RESULTS
The mean flexion contracture improved 10.8degrees in group A, and 10.3degrees in group B. The mean further flexion improved 13degrees in group A, and 24degrees in group B. The improvement of knee flexion with PFC showed statistical significance. The mean HSS knee scores improved 30.5 points in group A, and 36.3 points in group B. The improvement in the HSS knee score with PFC showed statistical significance. Squatting was possible 50.0% of group A, and 67.4% of group B.
CONCLUSION
PFC is effective in increasing the level of knee flexion and improving the HSS score. PFC can be a good solution for high demand patients, particularly those from Asian countries.