SEMIMEMBRANOSUS RELEASE REDUCES TIBIAL INTERNAL ROTATION DURING FLEXION IN CRUCIATE-RETAINING TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

PurposeSurgeons sometimes encounter moderate or severe varus deformed osteoarthritic cases in which medial substantial release including semimembranosus is compelled to appropriately balance soft tissues in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, medial stability after TKA is important for acquisition of proper knee kinematics to lead to medial pivot motion during knee flexion. The purpose of the present study is to prove the hypothesis that step by step medial release, especially semimembranosus release, reduces medial stability in cruciate-retaining (CR) total knee arthroplasty (TKA).MethodsTwenty CR TKAs were performed in patients with moderate varus-type osteoarthritis (10° < varus deformity <20°) using the tibia first technique guided by a navigation system (Orthopilot). During the process of medial release, knee kinematics including tibial internal rotation and anterior translation during knee flexion were assessed using the navigation system at 3 points; (1) after anterior cruciate ligament resecti...