Introduction

Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is highly successful in treatment of end-stage degenerative arthritis of the knee. CT-based Patient-Specific Instrumentation (PSI) utilizes a CT scan of the lower extremity to create a three-dimensional model of the patient's anatomy, plan the surgery, and provide unique patient-specific resection blocks for the surgery.

There are few published studies utilizing CT-PSI. The present study prospectively evaluates clinical, operative, and radiographic outcomes from 100 CT-based TKAs using this technology (MyKnee®, Medacta International S.A., Castel San Pietro, Switzerland).

The present IRB approved study evaluates the early results of 100 TKAs using CT-based Patient-Specific Instrumentation (PSI) (MyKnee®, Medacta International, SA, Castel San Pietro, Switzerland). For this technique, a CT scan of the lower extremity is obtained, and from these images, the knee is reconstructed 3-dimensionally. Surgical and implant-size planning are performed according to surgeon preference, with the goal to create a neutral mechanical axis. Once planned and approved, the blocks are made.

Outcomes measured for the present study include surgical factors such as Tourniquet Time (TT) as a measure of surgical efficiency, the actual intraoperative bony resection thicknesses to be compared to the planned resections from the CT scan, and complication data. Furthermore, pre- and post-operative long standing alignment and Knee Society Scores (KSS) were obtained.

During surgery, the PSI cutting block is registered on the femur first and secured with smooth pins. No osteophytes are removed as the blocks use the positive topography of the osteophytes for registration. The distal femoral resection is performed directly through the block. An appropriate sized 4-in-1 block is placed and the remaining resections are performed. The tibial resection block is registered and resection performed. Final bone preparation, patella resurfacing, and trialing is performed as is standard to all surgical techniques.

There were 50 Left and 50 Right TKA's performed in 61 females and 39 males. All patients had diagnosis of osteoarthritis. The average BMI was 31.1 and average age was 64.5 (range 41–90). 79 patients had pre-operative varus deformities with Hip Knee Angle (HKA) average of 174.7° (range 167°–179.5°). 19 patients had pre-operative valgus deformities averaging 184.4° (range 180.5°–190°). Three patients were neutral.

Average TT was 31.2 minutes (range 21–51 minutes). With regard to the bony resections, the actual vs. planned resections for the distal medial femoral resection was 8.7 mm vs. 8.9 mm respectively. Further actual vs. planned femoral resections include distal lateral 7.2 vs. 6.7 mm; posterior medial 8.3 vs. 8.9 mm; and posterior lateral 6.2 vs. 6.8 mm. The actual vs. planned tibial resections recorded include medial 6.4 vs. 6.3 mm and lateral 8.3 vs. 8.2. The planned vs. actual bony cuts are strongly correlated, and highly predictive for all 6 measured cuts (p=<.001). No intraoperative complications occurred.

Average KSS improved from 45.9 to 81.4, and KSS Function Score improved from 57.7 to 73.5 at 6 weeks postoperative visit. There were no thromboembolic complications. Two patients had a post-operative infection requiring surgical intervention.

Post-operative alignment was 179.36° (range 175°–186°) for all patients. Alignment was neutral, within 3° in 95.9% of patients. There were only 4 outliers with maximal post-operative angulation of 6°.

In conclusion, these early results demonstrate efficacy of CT-based PSI for TKA. The surgery can be performed efficiently, accurately, and safely. Furthermore, excellent short term clinical and radiographic results can be achieved.

Hardware in or about the knee joint presents a number of challenges to the surgeon in performance of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). Conventional instrumentation usually requires a modification of technique or removal of the metallic implants. Computer-Assisted TKA (CAOS) is another option, but adds complexity and time to the procedure. MRI-based Patient-Specific Instrumentation (PSI) cannot be used as metal causes unwanted artifact and renders the images for planning, useless. However, CT scans are not affected by metal and thus CT-based PSI can be used in TKA patients with pre-existing hardware.

The present IRB approved study evaluates 12 consecutive knees (10 patients) with pre-existing hardware using CT-based PSI (MyKnee®, Medacta International, SA, Castel San Pietro, Switzerland).

In this technique, CT scan of the lower extremity is obtained, and from these images, the knee is reconstructed 3-dimensionally. Surgical and implant-size planning are performed according to surgeon preference, with the goal to create a neutral mechanical axis. Once planned and approved, the blocks are made.

During surgery, the PSI cutting block is registered on the femur first and secured with smooth pins. The distal femoral resection is performed directly through the block. An appropriate sized 4-in-1 block is placed and the remaining femoral resections are performed. The tibial resection block is registered and resection performed. Final bone preparation, patella resurfacing, and trialing is performed as is standard to all surgical techniques.

Of the 12 TKAs, there were 5 left and 7 right knees performed in 6 females and 6 males. The average BMI was 33.19 and average age was 53 (range 44–63). All diagnoses were either osteoarthritis or post-traumatic osteoarthritis. Follow-up averaged 59 weeks (range 18.6–113.7).

Nine patients had pre-operative varus deformities with HKA deformities average of 171.9° (range 154°–178.5°). One patient had pre-operative valgus deformity of 184.5°. Two patients were neutral (180°). Post-operative alignment for all patients (n=11) was 179° (range 177°–180°). All patients were within 3° neutral, post operatively. Four patients measured 180°, 4 measured at 179°, 2 measured at 178°, and only one at 177°.

Hardware consisted of 5 patients with femur or tibia staples, 3 with plate(s) and screws, 3 patients with ACL interference screws, and one titanium rod. No hardware was removed unless necessary for implantation. Only 3 patients required some hardware removal.

The pre-operative Range of Motion (ROM) averaged 2.9° to 98.3° (Extension range 0–15° and flexion range 30–115°). Post-operative ROM was 2.9° to 101.3°. (Extension range 0–5° and flexion range 65–125°). Knee Society Score (KSS) improved from 42.3 to 82.3, and KSS Function Score improved from 52.1 to 77.5. No intraoperative complications were recorded. Average tourniquet time was 42.1 minutes (range 28–102).

Regardless of the deformity, the patient's post-operative mechanical axes HKA averaged 179° (range 177–180). Clinical scores were typical for TKA patients with improvement in both KSS and ROM.

In conclusion, early results using PSI in patients with pre-existing hardware in or about the joint, is safe, efficient, and accurate in performance of TKA.

Minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty is growing in popularity. It appears to reduce blood loss, reduce hospital stay, improve post-operative quadriceps function and shorten post-operative recovery. We show our experience of minimally invasive TKA with a computer navigation system.

The first series compared forty MICA TKA and forty conventional computer assisted total knee arthroplasties (CATKA). Component positioning was assessed radiographically with long leg Maquet views. Knee Society Scores (KSS) were recorded pre-operatively and at 6, 12, 18 months. Length of stay and recovery of straight leg raise was also recorded. A second series of fifty MICATKA patients were assessed post-operatively for component alignment using long leg Maquet views. Twenty-two of these patients had assessment of femoral rotation using CT.

In the first series pre-operative KSS showed no significant difference between the two groups. Post-operatively the mean femoral component alignment was 89.7 degrees for MICATKA and 90.2 for CATKA. The mean tibial component alignment was 89.7 degrees for both. KSS at 6, 12, 18 months were statistically better in the MICATKA (p<000.1). Straight leg raise was achieved by day one in 93% of the MICATKA compared to 30% of the CATKA. Length of stay for MICATKA was a mean of 3.25 days with CATKA a mean of 6 days. In the second series the mean femoral component varus/valgus angle was 89.98 degrees, the mean tibial component varus/valgus angle was 89.91 degrees and the mean femoral component rotation was 0.6 degrees of external rotation.

MICATKA is a safe procedure with reproducible results. Alignment is equivalent to CATKA. It gives statistically significant improvement in KSS compared to the open procedure. The length of stay and time to straight leg raise are also reduced. At 2 years follow-up we have seen no revisions and no evidence of loosening radiographically.

Minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty is growing in popularity. It appears to reduce blood loss, reduce hospital stay, improve post-operative quadriceps function and shortens post-operative recovery. We show our experience of minimally invasive TKA with a computer navigation system.

Forty patients who underwent MICATKA were compared with forty patients having conventional CATKA. Component positioning was assessed radiographically with AP long leg standing views. Knee Society Scores, length of stay and recovery of straight leg raise was also recorded pre-operatively and at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months.

Pre-operative Knee Society Scores showed no significant difference between the two groups. Post operatively the mean femoral component alignment was 89.7 degrees for MICATKA and 90.2 for CATKA. The mean tibial component alignment was 89.7 degrees for both. Knees society scores at 6, 12, 18 and 24 months were statistically better in the MICATKA (p< 000.1). However the mean difference in Knee Society Scores had fallen. Straight leg raise was achieved by day one in 93% of the MICATKA compared to only 30% of the CATKA. Length of stay for MICATKA was a mean of 3.25 days with CATKA a mean of 6 days.

MICATKA is a safe procedure with reproducible results. Alignment is equivalent to CATKA. It gives statistically significant improvement in Knee Society Scores compared to the open procedure. The length of stay and time to straight leg raise is also reduced. At a minimum of 2 years follow-up we have seen no revisions and no evidence of radiographic loosening. A randomised multi centre trial is under way and early results are awaited.

Revision total knee replacement is becoming a more common procedure. Landmarks commonly used for alignment are often distorted by the cause of the failure or removing the components themselves. This can make correct alignment and re-creation of joint line height difficult.

We looked at consecutive knee replacements that underwent revision surgery over one year. All cases had revision total knee replacements by the senior author using the Stryker® Navigation System. All cases were assessed radiographically post-operatively with long leg Maquet views. The tibial and femoral component varus/ valgus angles taken from the mechanical axis and the mechanical tibio-femoral angle were measured.

On long leg Maquet views the mean mechanical tibio-femoral angle was 3.25 with a range from 0 to 6, the mean tibial component angle was 90.4 with a range of 89 to 92 and the mean femoral component angle was 90.3 with a range of 89 to 91.

Computer navigation in revision total knee replacement is a safe procedure that gives reproducible results. Postoperative alignment, as measured radiographically, gave good results with tibial and femoral components within 2 degrees to the perpendicular of the mechanical axis. We feel that navigation is helpful in obtaining accurate positioning of components in revision knee surgery.