1. Leg-Length Change After Unilateral Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty in Varus Knee and Its Clinical Implications
- Author
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Lei Liu, Shi-Zhuang Xu, Li Zheng, Yang Lu, Z.G. Hui, and F.C. Zhao
- Subjects
musculoskeletal diseases ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Knee Joint ,medicine.medical_treatment ,Osteoarthritis ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Contralateral knee ,medicine ,Humans ,Orthopedics and Sports Medicine ,In patient ,Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee ,Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty ,Flexion contracture ,Leg ,030222 orthopedics ,business.industry ,Leg length ,Osteoarthritis, Knee ,Varus knee ,medicine.disease ,Arthroplasty ,Surgery ,Treatment Outcome ,business - Abstract
Background To explore the magnitude of leg-length change after the unilateral index unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) in varus knee and its influence on clinical outcomes. Methods A total of 114 patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis who underwent unilateral UKA from June 2015 to June 2017 were included and followed up for at least 2 years. The leg length and hip-knee angle were measured on full-length standing films before and after the surgery. Flexion contracture was evaluated using a goniometer with the patient in the standing position preoperatively and postoperatively. Hospital for Special Surgery scores, perceived leg-length discrepancy (pLLD), the occurrence, and the time interval of subsequent contralateral knee arthroplasty were recorded and analyzed. Results The average leg length increased after UKA was 9.39 ± 11.24 mm (range −21.00 to 33.79 mm), and 90 (78.9%) patients showed an increase in the leg length. 35 patients had LLD (defined as ≥10 mm), and 25 presented pLLD preoperatively; 25 patients had LLD, and 45 were suspected with pLLD postoperatively. At the last follow-up, 26 patients underwent subsequent contralateral knee arthroplasty. Postoperative LLD and pLLD were not associated with Hospital for Special Surgery scores of UKA but associated with subsequent contralateral knee arthroplasty. Conclusions LLD and pLLD were common in patients both before and after UKA. Most patients showed leg lengthening after UKA. Postoperative LLD and pLLD were not associated with functional scores but associated with a subsequent contralateral knee arthroplasty.
- Published
- 2021