The effect of surgeon experience on component positioning in 673 press fit condylar posterior cruciate-sacrificing total knee arthroplasties

Abstract: Component angles of 673 Press Fit Condylar (PFC) total knee arthroplasties were measured from standard short-leg radiographs. The femoral and tibial resections were performed with intramedullary and extramedullary instrumentation. The mean coronal tibial component angle was 88.59° (SD, 2.28°; range, 78-98°), with 17.1% having values <87° and 1.9% having values >93°. The mean coronal femoral component angle was 97.43° (SD, 3.44°; range, 84-115°), with 9.1% having values <94° and 13.1% having values >100°. An ideal tibiofemoral angle of 4° to 10° of valgus was achieved in 75.3% of patients, being <4° in 18.6% and >10° in 6.1%. Alignment was not significantly different between consultant and trainee surgeons. Although varus positioning of the tibial component was the commonest error, the wide range of femoral component angles signifies problems with standard intramedullary femoral guides.