Open AccessFlexion First Balancer: description of new technique in TKA to reproduce joint line and pre‐disease mechanical alignment
Author(s) -
Lieshout W. A. M.,
Koenraadt K. L. M.,
Elmans L. H. G. J.,
Geenen R. C. I.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of experimental orthopaedics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 2197-1153
DOI - 10.1186/s40634-020-00241-x
Subject(s) - joint (building) , orthopedic surgery , line (geometry) , joint disease , first line , orthodontics , physical medicine and rehabilitation , medicine , engineering , computer science , surgery , mathematics , structural engineering , osteoarthritis , pathology , alternative medicine , geometry
A considerable proportion of patients (19%) are dissatisfied after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Possible factors contributing to this dissatisfaction are decreased posterior condylar offset (PCO) with subsequent joint line elevation, leading to mid‐flexion instability. Secondly, the pre‐disease mechanical alignment is changed into a neutral alignment. The Flexion First Balancer was developed to avoid these problems. This technique aims to maintain MCL isometry by restoring medial PCO and medial joint line to its pre‐disease level. Also, to reconstruct the pre‐disease mechanical alignment by adjusting the distal femoral angle. In this study we provide a detailed technical overview of the Flexion First Balancer technique.