Total knee arthroplasty better shortterm results

Authors: Sergi Sastre MariaDolors Sanchez Lluis Lozano Felip Orient Fidel Fontg Montserrat Nuñez

Publish Date: 2009/04/18

Volume: 17, Issue: 10, Pages: 1184-1188

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the shortterm results after performing a total knee arthroplasty TKA using two surgical approaches the subvastus approach SV and the conventional parapatellar approach It was hypothesized that the SV approach would achieve the best shortterm benefits This is a randomized prospective and doubleblind study that includes 104 patients Evaluations were carried out preoperatively when discharged 5 days at one three and 12 postoperative months The SV group showed significantly better range of movement and quadriceps extensor force when discharged Statistically significant differences were found that showed a distinct improvement in favour of the SV group at one month in terms of extensor force and according to the Barthel Index No significant difference was found between the two groups at the 12 month evaluation It was concluded that the SV approach offers superior shortterm clinical and functional results and it was shown that this approach also offers a significant advantage to the patient in the immediate postoperative period although these differences tend to disappear over time following TKA We strongly recommend the SV approach in the majority of TKA

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