Gama angle in sagittal plane of post-operative total knee replacement - variations in patients: A retrospective radiological analysis

Abstract

Introduction: Total Knee Replacement (TKR) though appears as bone surgery, but success depends on correct pre-operative analysis, better execution of bone cuts and soft tissue balancing. Radiological evaluation shows differences between patients, even though same instrumentation and technique were used in surgery. There appears variation in Gama angle in femur, posterior slope in tibia. Aim and Objectives: To analyze variability of Gama angle in patients after post TKR surgery. To find out the reasons of variability of Gama angle, posterior slope and sagittal femoral bowing Materials and Methods: A retrospective study carried out in Department of Orthopedics, BIRRD (T) Hospital. All the surgeries were carried out by single surgeon were included into the study after satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study involves radiological evaluation, without direct interaction of patient. Patients were evaluated for basic radiological measurements in coronal and sagittal planes. Results were tabulated and evaluated. Results: Seventy-two patients were included into study. There were 30, 42 male and female patients respectively. 54 patients with unilateral and 18 patients bilateral TKR were carried. Average age of patient was 61 years. Average Gama angle in femoral side, posterior slope in tibia and femoral sagittal femoral bowing was 4o, 85.4o and 5.5o respectively. Conclusion: There exists positive co-relation in femoral bowing, posterior slope in tibia and Gama angle in femur in sagittal plane radiologically.