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World J Orthop. Jul 18, 2013; 4(3): 120-123
Published online Jul 18, 2013. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v4.i3.120
Published online Jul 18, 2013. doi: 10.5312/wjo.v4.i3.120
Errors in visual estimation of flexion contractures during total knee arthroplasty
Cale A Jacobs, Christian P Christensen, Peter W Hester, David M Burandt, Aaron D Sciascia, Lexington Clinic, Lexington, KY 40504, United States
Author contributions: All the authors contributed to this article.
Correspondence to: Cale A Jacobs, PhD, Lexington Clinic, 700 Bob-O-Link Dr., Lexington, KY 40504, United States. calejacobs@hotmail.com
Telephone: +1-859-2588238 Fax: +1-859-2588565
Received: December 11, 2012
Revised: April 23, 2013
Accepted: May 9, 2013
Published online: July 18, 2013
Processing time: 219 Days and 17.8 Hours
Revised: April 23, 2013
Accepted: May 9, 2013
Published online: July 18, 2013
Processing time: 219 Days and 17.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Fixed flexion contractures of even 1° have been reported to result in inferior outcomes after total knee arthroplasty. Despite the importance of correcting flexion deformities during surgery, the knee angle is often estimated visually. We developed an intraoperative measurement device that was highly reliable (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.98) and was able to detect a loss of knee extension with the placement of a 2 mm thicker trial polyethylene liner in 93.8% of cases.