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International Orthopaedics
Published in: International Orthopaedics 1/2012

01-01-2012 | Original Paper

Is the effect of a posterior cruciate ligament resection in total knee arthroplasty predictable?

Authors: Christoph Schnurr, Peer Eysel, Dietmar P. König

Published in: International Orthopaedics | Issue 1/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

It is broadly supposed that in total knee arthroplasty, the flexion/extension gap ratio is increased after resection of the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). However, studies are rare and results are inconsistent. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine whether PCL release regularly increases the flexion gap.

Methods

Data from 50 consecutive posterior stabilised knee prostheses were analysed retrospectively. Using imageless computer navigation, the joint-gap width was measured over the entire range of motion before and after PCL release.

Results

PCL release had no effect on the extension gap, but it increased the flexion gap significantly. An increase of >3 mm occurred in 36% of patients and of >5 mm in 12%. No clinically relevant effect (<2 mm) was found in 44% of patients.

Conclusion

PCL release increased the flexion/extension gap ratio on average, but the individual effect could not be predicted. Therefore, we recommend PCL release before the femoral resections are performed, as this step mainly determines the ratio between extension and flexion gap.
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Metadata
Title
Is the effect of a posterior cruciate ligament resection in total knee arthroplasty predictable?
Authors
Christoph Schnurr
Peer Eysel
Dietmar P. König
Publication date
01-01-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Orthopaedics / Issue 1/2012
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-011-1295-6

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