This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Computer navigation reduces fixed flexion deformity after TKA
Laird MP. J Orthopaedics. 2011;8(4)e3
Click Here to Manage Email Alerts
The use of computer navigation leads to less fixed flexion deformity following total knee arthroplasty, according to this study from researchers in Australia.
In this partly retrospective, partly prospective study, the researchers compared postoperative flexion deformity in conventional total knee arthroplasty (TKA) vs. postoperative flexion deformity in computer navigated TKA. They analyzed 86 knees across 65 patients who underwent TKA — 55 navigated and 31 conventional, performed by one surgeon across two facilities. Blinded investigators used a goniometer to measure fixed flexion deformity (FFD) at an average 3-year postoperative follow-up period for non-navigated knees and 1-year follow-up for navigated knees.
According to the study results, FFD was statistically better in patients who underwent computer-navigated TKA when compared with patints who underwent conventional TKA (0.7° vs. 4.1°). Flexion range did not vary between the groups.
“Our data suggests that computer navigation leads to less fixed flexion deformity after total knee arthroplasty,” the authors wrote. “As FFD has been correlated with functional outcome, this suggests that navigation results in improved function after TKA.”