Effects of posterior cruciate ligament resection in total knee arthroplasty using computer assisted surgery.

OBJECTIVE

The authors prospectively measure the effects of Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) excision in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) using Computer Assisted Surgery (CAS).

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Between April 2008 and June 2008, sixteen knees of fifteen patients with varus deformity less than 20 degree and grossly intact PCL were included in this study. Using CAS and tensioning device to maintain consistent pressure, extension and flexion gap on both medial and lateral side before and after resection of PCL was recorded.

RESULTS

The mean increases of extension gap on medial and lateral side after resection of PCL are 0.17 +/- 0.22 mm (-0.17 to 0.5 mm) and 0.25 +/- 0.37 mm (-0.33 to 1.16 mm) respectively. The mean increases of flexion gap on medial and lateral side are 1.29 +/- 1.02 mm (0-3 mm) and 2.09 +/- 1.12 (0.5-4.66 mm) respectively.

CONCLUSION

Resection of PCL showed increase of flexion gap more than extension gap (p-value < 0.05) and lateral side of flexion gap always increase more than medial side (p-value < 0.05).