Lateral Subvastus Lateralis Versus Medial Parapatellar Approach for Total Knee Arthroplasty
Abstract
The current gold standard surgical approach for Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) is a medial parapatellar approach (MPA). We aimed to study a novel lateral subvastus lateralis approach (SLA) for TKA and compare patient outcomes and joint kinematics to the MPA.
Patients with neutral or varus alignment undergoing primary TKA were recruited to undergo the SLA. At one year postoperative, patient outcomes (WOMAC, SF-12, KSS) and joint kinematics (using radio stereometric analysis (RSA)) were analyzed. 7 LPA and 7 MPA patients were compared.
The SLA resulted in improved medial femoral rollback early in flexion, but less “regular” (external) rotation of the femur with respect to the tibia, as compared to the MPA. Patient outcomes were similar between groups.
The SLA may be a viable alternative to the MPA in TKA. Further studies are required to identify any benefits.