Accuracy of side-cutting implantation instruments for total knee arthroplasty.

A new generation of implantation instruments were developed for quadriceps sparing surgical approaches during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). There is little information on the accuracy of the bone cuts performed with the side-cutting technique. A total of 100 patients were randomized to undergo computer-assisted TKA or non-navigated TKA using a mini-subvastus surgical approach and side-cutting implant instrumentation.

Imageless navigation for TKA increases implantation accuracy.

Because we are performing TKAs on heavier, younger patients, greater stress is being put on the implants and is increasing the importance of implantation accuracy. We performed a prospective randomized study to compare the radiographic results and the 3-month clinical outcomes in 100 patients who had TKAs using an imageless navigation system with 100 patients treated using conventional implantation instruments. We measured component alignment by standard radiographs.