The Effectiveness of Medial Femoral Epicondyle Up-Sliding Osteotomy to Correct Severe Valgus Deformity in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: While many surgical techniques can achieve neutral limb alignment and soft tissue balance in severe valgus deformity during total knee arthroplasty (TKA), few published reports concern medial femoral epicondyle up-sliding osteotomy.

METHODS: A prospective investigation was conducted of patients with severe valgus deformities who underwent medial femoral epicondyle up-sliding osteotomy. Clinical measurements, radiological evaluation, and complication data were recorded.

RESULTS: Using posterior-stabilized prostheses, 26 patients underwent 28 TKAs performed by the same surgeon using medial femoral epicondyle up-sliding osteotomy to balance the soft tissue. On average, the follow-up was 54 ± 18 months, and the patient age was 63 ± 11 years. All knees were type II according to Krackow's classification. Varus-valgus knee motion was prohibited with the protection of long-leg knee brace for 3 months. At the last follow-up, the Knee Society function score, Hospital for Special Surgery knee-rating scale, and range of motion were 94 ± 6, 91 ± 4, and 116° ± 8°, respectively. All knees were stable laterally, whereas 2 knees had mild medial laxity and the others were stable. The hip-knee-ankle angle, femorotibial angle, condylar-hip angle, plateau-ankle angle, and valgus angle were 179.9° ± 3.4°, 172.9° ± 3.6°, 89.8° ± 2.5°, 90.2° ± 1.1°, and 7.3° ± 3.5°, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Medial femoral epicondyle up-sliding osteotomy during TKA in patients with severe valgus deformities facilitates the restoration of lower limb alignment, soft tissue balance, and knee stability.