CHANGE OF TOTAL LIMB ROTATION AFTER UNILATERAL TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY: ANALYSIS OF SIDE-TO SIDE DISCREPANCY

Introduction The aim of the present study was to evaluate the discrepancies of rotational profiles of whole limb between operated and non-operated limb following unilateral total knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods We conducted an analysis the CT data from 32 patients undergoing primary unilateral total knee arthroplasty using measured resection technique, which femoral component was always implanted with external rotation to posterocondylar axis from July 2009 to April 2013. Using these CT scan, rotational profiles of total limb such as femoral torsion angle (femoral neck anteversion angle; FTA), tibial torsion angle (TTA), knee joint rotation angle (KJRA) and total limb rotation (TLR) were measured. Results There were significant discrepancies of FTA and KJRA between operated and non-operated limb following unilateral total knee arthroplasty. The mean difference of operated and non-operated side for FTA and KJRA were −6.51 ± 11.88o (p=0.0041) and −6.83 ± 5.04o (p r = 0.7309). Conclusion FTA showed significant side to side discrepancy, TTA and TLR showed no significant discrepancy between operated- and non-operated limbs in patients undergone unilateral TKA. These results are due to the compensation effect of KJRA. However, excessive external rotation of femoral component beyond the compensation effect of prosthetic knee joint can lead to total limb rotational discrepancy in patient undergoing unilateral total knee arthroplasty.