Ligament Balancing

 Correct knee alignment and ligament balance are inseparable when performing a total knee arthroplasty, and these issues must be addressed both in flexion and extension. This book sets forth a system that ensures both correct knee alignment and stable ligament balance throughout the arc of flexion. First it provides a simple and accurate means to align the knee correctly, then the different functions of the various ligaments are explained, and then special efforts are made to simplify...
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 Correct knee alignment and ligament balance are inseparable when performing a total knee arthroplasty, and these issues must be addressed both in flexion and extension. This book sets forth a system that ensures both correct knee alignment and stable ligament balance throughout the arc of flexion. First it provides a simple and accurate means to align the knee correctly, then the different functions of the various ligaments are explained, and then special efforts are made to simplify the concepts of ligament balancing and to provide a system by which the operating orthopaedic surgeon can analyze ligament contracture and asses the ligaments in flexion and extension. Techniques to release the specific deforming structure are illustrated clearly and simply.Common pitfalls are also addressed to illustrate errors that occur when the surgeon fails to correct both alignment and ligament balance both in extension and flexion. For purposes of precision, brevity, and clarity, drawings are used to illustrate virtually every premise, providing a clear and readily understandable protocol for handling the most severe and perplexing alignment and ligament-balancing problems. The surgeon can follow the guidelines and principles set forth in this text and be assured that the knee will be aligned correctly and also be stable in the coronal plane while being flexible in the sagittal plane. This book is addressed to the practicing knee replacement surgeons, training surgeons, orthopedic nurses, and physiotherapists with a special interest in knee arthroplasty.