IMPACT OF THE POLYETHYLENE THICKNESS ON RANGE OF MOTION IN TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY

IntroductionSelection of an optimum thickness of polyethylene insert in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is important for the good stability and range of motion (ROM). The purpose of this study is to investigate the amount of change of ROM as the thickness of trial insert increase.Material and MethodThe study included 86 patients with 115 knees undergoing TKA from October 2012 to February 2014. There were 17 men and 69 women with an average age of 75±8 (58–92) years. The implants posterior stabilized knee (Scorpio NRG, Stryker) was used and all prostheses were fixed with cement. The ROM was measured by the goniometer under the general anesthesia at the time of operation in increments of 1°. Preoperative flexion angle was measured by passively flexing the patient's hip 90 degrees and allowing the weight of the leg to flex the knee joint (Lee et al 1998). Extension angle was measured by holding the heel and raising the leg by another examiner. During TKA, flexion and extension angle was measured in a similar m...