The comparison of femoral component rotation in the total knee arthroplasty

Abstract Introduction Background: Optimal femoral component rotation in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is crucial to establish a balanced knee reconstruction. Unbalanced knees can lead to instability, patellofemoral problems, persistent pain, stiffness, and generally poorer outcomes including early failure. There are several methods to achieve the femoral component rotation such as balanced gap technique, measured resection technique, and bone landmarks such as transepicondylar line (TEA) and Whiteside line. The purpose of this study was to compare the balan ced gap technique with the TEA technique. Materials and Methods: This randomised prospective study compares the femoral component rotation obtained with the use of balanced gap technique and the TEA, as well as compares the differences due to preoperative knee desaxations. The study includes 50 knees, 19 with neutral alignment, 22 with varus, and 9 with valgus desaxation. The femoral component rotation was measured postoperatively on photodocumentation taken after determining the TEA and balanced gap technique line peroperatively. These lines were compared to the posterior femoral condyles obtaining the degree of rotation. In case of transepicondylar line it is condylar twist angle (CTA) and in case of ligament balancer rotation axis it is ligament balancer angle (LBA). Results: The statistically significant differences in femoral component rotation using the techniques mentioned above as well as differences in individual knee desaxations were observed. The average LBA was 3.42 degrees and average CTA 3.58 in neutral knees group, but in the varus knees the average CTA value was 2.27 degrees and LBA value was 1.05 degrees. The average CTA value in patients with valgus desaxation is 4.78 degrees and LBA value is 5.22 degrees. According to Tukey Post Hoc test a statistically significant difference in LBA value is between neutral and varus knees with a significance level of p = 0.000022 and the most significant difference between varus and valgus knees with a significance level of p = 0.000011. Conclusion: The statistically significant differences in femoral component rotation using the techniques mentioned above as well as differences in individual knee desaxations were observed.