Multiple surgical techniques exist to restore limb alignment and to balance soft tissues in valgus knees during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). One technique is to perform a lateral femoral epicondylar osteotomy.
A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with a fixed valgus deformity that was corrected with a lateral femoral epicondylar osteotomy during TKA. Preoperative and postoperative Knee Society Knee Scores, knee stability, range of motion, and radiographic alignment were recorded.
Ten patients (3 male and 7 female) underwent 12 TKAs by a single surgeon using a lateral femoral epicondylar osteotomy to correct a fixed valgus deformity. Implants used included 7 posterior stabilized, 3 constrained posterior stabilized, and 2 constrained condylar knees. Average age was 68 years (range 48-89) and average follow-up was 34.7 months (4-109). Average postoperative range of motion was 125° of flexion (range 95°-145°). The mean radiographic preoperative and postoperative anatomic tibiofemoral angles were 16.4° of valgus (range 12°-26°) and 5.5° of valgus (range 4°-7°), respectively. The mean preoperative knee society objective, satisfaction, expectation, and functional activity scores were 71, 20, 11, and 30, respectively. The mean postoperative knee society objective, satisfaction, expectation, and functional activity scores were 88, 34, 13, and 64, respectively. There was 1 postoperative deep vein thrombosis and 1 temporary peroneal nerve palsy.
Lateral femoral epicondylar osteotomy is a useful technique to restore mechanical alignment in fixed valgus deformities in TKA.