Effect of total knee arthroplasty via different approaches on extensor mechanism

Zhou Chao; Peng Wei; Si Zhi-ping

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.09.005

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Traditional total knee arthroplasty adopts medial parapatel ar approach, which induces severe trauma, requires long-term rehabilitation, and interferes the end point of quadriceps femoral tendon on superior patel ar pole. Total knee arthroplasty by subvastus approach has no impact on the knee-extension equipment, but it cannot provide sufficient exposure of surgical field and can induce damage to femoral muscle, so its application and safety need further exploration. <br> OBJECTIVE:To explore clinical effect of total knee arthroplasty by subvastus approach and medial parapatel ar approach. <br> METHODS:A total of 78 patients with 82 knees who were candidates for total knee arthroplasty were randomly divided into two groups. Treatment group (39 cases;41 knees) was given subvastus approach and control group (39 cases;41 knees) was given median parapatel ar approach. The knee function, range-of-motion of knee joint and complications after total knee arthroplasty were observed and compared. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with control group, the operation time in treatment group was significantly increased, while the postoperative wound drainage, straight leg raising time and walking time were obviously reduced (P<0.05). The scores of HSS before surgery and 12 weeks after surgery were not significantly different between the two groups (P>0.05), while at 1 and 6 weeks after surgery the scores in treatment group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). The range-of-motion of knee joint and MMT rank for quadriceps muscle were significantly improved in two groups after treatment (P<0.05), and those indicators in treatment group were more significant than the control group (P<0.05). The incidences of complications in treatment group and control group were 2.6%and 15.4%, respectively, with statistical y significant difference (P<0.05). The total knee arthroplasty by subvastus approach has less impact on the extensor mechanism, improves the recovery of knee function and range-of-motion of knee joint, and reduces the incidence of complications.