Clinical outcomes of minisubvastus approach for minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the clinical outcome of minisubvastus approach, a true quadriceps-sparing approach for minimally invasive knee arthroplasty.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: Between January 2005 and January 2008, 398 knees were included in this study. We evaluated the results of primary total knee arthroplasties performed with minisubvastus approach in patients at a minimum 1-year follow-up period. A retrospective review of the patient medical records was used.

RESULTS

The mean wound length was 11 centimeters and mean blood loss was about 478 milliliters. An average total operative time was 112 minutes. The mean femorotibial angle was corrected from 8 degrees varus preoperatively to 4 degrees valgus postoperatively. Pain assessed by WOMAC score was much improved as the mean score decreased from 50.84 at preoperative to 26.81 at one-year postoperative period.

CONCLUSION

Minisubvastus arthroplasty is effective and can be performed in almost of knee deformities.