Accuracy and clinical role of digital templating for total knee arthroplasty performed on haemophilic knees

Introduction

In total knee arthroplasty (TKA), choosing the correct implant size is important. There is lack of data on accuracy of templating on haemophilic knees. Our aim was to test the accuracy of 2D digital templating for TKA on haemophilic arthropathy (HA) of knee.

Materials and Methods

TKAs performed on HA between January 2011 and January 2022 were screened. Osteoarthritis (OA) group was created as control group by a one-to-one matching regarding type of implant used. Intra- and interobserver correlations were measured in HA, then correlation between templated and implanted sizes was investigated in four assessments (femur AP, femur lateral, tibia AP, tibia lateral), then compared with OA group. Fifty-eight knees in each group included.

Results

Regarding intraobserver correlation in HA, there was excellent correlation for femur AP [.93 (.73–.98)], femur lateral [.98 (.91–.99)], and tibia AP (1.0) templating. Regarding interobserver correlation in HA, excellent correlation was observed for femur lateral [.93 (.74–.98)] and tibia AP templating [.90 (.65–.97)]. Regarding correlation of templated and applied sizes in HA; tibia AP, tibia lateral and femur lateral templating showed good correlation [.81 (.70–.89), .86 (.77–.91), .79 (.67–.87) while femur AP templating showed moderate correlation [.67 (.50–.79)]. Comparing HA and OA, there was no difference in correlation levels regarding femur AP, femur lateral, tibia AP and tibia lateral templating (p = .056, p = .781, p = .761, p = .083, respectively).

Conclusion

Although 2D digital templating shows comparable correlation in HA and OA, clinical applicability of templating on HA appears to be limited in its current state.