Knee Articulated Distraction Arthroplasty for the Middle-aged Osteoarthritic Knee Joint

摘要

Objective: We developed a knee distraction arthroplasty device that allows continuous joint movement. The objective of this article is to show the surgical procedure of knee distraction arthroplasty with a bone marrow-stimulating technique, for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee and to evaluate the clinical results.Methods: As we showed in Arthroscopy in 2007, we performed this distraction arthroplasty to 6 knees (in 6 patients, aged 42 to 63 y). Then we compared preoperative findings with postoperative ones. The fixation period for the distraction device ranged from 7 to 12 weeks and the follow-up period ranged from 24 months to 53 months (average 36 mo).Results: The Japan Orthopaedic Association knee score, range of motion, and the values of the joint spaces were significantly improved in all cases at the latest follow-up (P<0.05). Visual analog pain scales were also significantly improved (P<0.05).Conclusions: We conclude that treatment using this arthroplasty device in combination with a bone marrow stimulating method is effective for osteoarthritic knees in middle-aged patients.