Clinical and Radiographic Outcome of Gap Balancing Versus Measured Resection Techniques in Total Knee Arthroplasty

• Main Authors: Eva De Wachter, MD, Johan Vanlauwe, PhD, MD, Robert Krause, MD, Hans Bayer-Helms, MD, Dirk Ganzer, MD, Thierry Scheerlinck, PhD, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier 2020-12-01
• Series: Arthroplasty Today
• Subjects: TKA; Arthroplasty; Measured resection; Gap balancing; Survival; Knee Society Score
• Online Access: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352344120301655

Background: There is no consensus regarding superiority between gap balancing (GB) and measured resection (MR) techniques to implant total knee arthroplasties. In a multicenter setup, we compared both techniques using the same prosthesis. Methods: We included 262 balanSys posterior-stabilized total knee arthroplasties from 4 centers: 3 using the MR (n = 162) and one using the GB technique (n = 100), without navigation. Results: There was no significant difference in the Knee Society Score or visual analog scale pain at 2- and 7-year follow-up. The visual analog scale for satisfaction was significantly better in the MR group at 2 but not at 7 years. We found a significantly higher average valgus in the GB group, but the overall alignment was within 2° of neutral on the full-leg radiographs. There were no significant differences concerning radiolucency and survival. Conclusions: We found no significant differences in the functional outcome, pain, alignment, or survival, but a tendency toward better function using MR and better survival with GB.