gms | German Medical Science

54. Jahrestagung der Norddeutschen Orthopädenvereinigung e. V.

Norddeutsche Orthopädenvereinigung

16.06. bis 18.06.2005, Hamburg

Posttraumatic collateral instability and total knee arthroplasty: revision and repair

Meeting Abstract

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  • corresponding author J. Ohnsorge - Orthopaedische Universitaetsklinik, Rheinisch-Westfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen
  • R. Laskin - New York

Norddeutsche Orthopädenvereinigung. 54. Jahrestagung der Norddeutschen Orthopädenvereinigung e.V.. Hamburg, 16.-18.06.2005. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2005. Doc05novP20

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/nov2005/05nov071.shtml

Published: June 13, 2005

© 2005 Ohnsorge et al.
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en). You are free: to Share – to copy, distribute and transmit the work, provided the original author and source are credited.


Outline

Text

Introduction

A 53 year-old woman presented with an unstable and painful total knee arthroplasty 6 months postoperatively. Disruption of both collateral ligaments as a young adult and the subsequent arthritis required repeated surgical and extensive conservative treatment before a prosthesis was implanted. Examination disclosed a marked instability of the LCL and loosening of the tibial and the femoral

component. MRI failed to show adequate continuity of the scarred stabilizing collateral structures of the femuro-fibular compartment. Therapeutical management of the two-fold problem requested critical consideration of various options and individual premises.

Materials and Methods

A one-stage revision arthroplasty was performed using a modular non-articulated constrained prosthesis and a bone-tendon-bone allograft to reconstruct the LCL. Continuous passive motion began immediately after surgery and was gradually increased to 90° of flexion. Physiotherapy was effected on a daily basis with the knee sheltered in a brace and the patient using crutches. Weight-bearing was initially limited to toe-touch.

Results

Postoperative rehabilitation was undisturbed and fast. The clinical and radiographic follow-up showed correct alignment and function. Pain free motion was achieved within 0-115° flexion at three months after surgery and the patient had returned to her normal activities.

Discussion

The review of literature revealed different aspects and provisos of a combined treatment of soft-tissue lesion and prosthetic loosening. Standards needed to be verified with regard to the individual demands of the patient. Despite the favourable outcome, alternatives remain debatable.