Intraoperative assessment of resected condyle thickness in total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the use of resected condyle thickness measurement, obtained with caliper, when verifying the accuracy of distal femoral bone resection in total knee arthroplasty. Fifty-two total knee arthroplasties were performed to treat osteoarthritis with varus knee. The difference of caliper-measured thickness of resected medial and lateral femoral condyles after removal of cartilage from the lateral condyle was compared with radiographically measured values. The preoperative planned valgus cut angles and the postoperative femoral component valgus angles were compared. The difference of radiograph-measured thickness averaged 2.4 ± 2.2 mm and the difference of caliper-measured thickness averaged 2.0 ± 2.1 mm (r = 0.735, P < 0.001). The postoperative femoral component valgus angle averaged 4.8° ± 1.6° (range, 2.0°-7.6°). The difference between the valgus cut angle and femoral component valgus angle averaged -0.3° ± 1.5°. The confirmation of correspondence between the caliper-measured and radiographically measured thickness of resected condyles could verify the accuracy of distal femoral bone resection in total knee arthroplasty. III.