Abstract

The authors have made a retrospective study of 90 total knee arthroplasties performed through a lateral approach in knees with a valgus deformity superior or equal to 10 degrees. The mean function score increased from 35.9 to 73.2 postoperatively; the mean knee score increased from 60.2 to 93.6. Radiological evaluation of the mechanical angle (HKA) showed 16 degrees of valgus deviation preoperatively versus only 1.5 degrees of valgus post-operatively. A strict operative technique using a lateral approach in severe valgus knee deformity makes it possible to reproducibly achieve joint stability with good mobility and a neutral mechanical axis in total knee arthroplasty.