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Adult Reconstruction
intermediate
X-Type

TKA Ligament Balancing - Gap Management and Soft Tissue Releases

Total Knee Arthroplasty

A 68-year-old woman with severe varus osteoarthritis undergoes total knee arthroplasty. After bone cuts, the surgeon notes that the extension gap is tight medially with 5mm asymmetry, and the flexion gap is also tight but symmetric. Trial components show good stability in extension but restricted flexion to only 90 degrees. The surgeon considers the ligament balancing sequence and gap troubleshooting algorithm. Regarding ligament balancing in total knee arthroplasty:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

The goal of ligament balancing is to achieve rectangular flexion and extension gaps with equal media...

B

In a varus knee, the medial soft tissues are typically contracted; sequential release proceeds from ...

C

Ligament balancing should be achieved entirely through bone cuts without any soft tissue releases; c...

D

Tight extension gap with normal flexion suggests inadequate distal femoral resection or posterior ca...

E

The PCL affects flexion gap tension in cruciate-retaining TKA; an excessively tight flexion gap may ...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option