Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery

, Volume 135, Issue 10, pp 1445–1451 | Cite as

Proximalize osteotomy of tibial tuberosity (POTT) as a treatment for stiffness secondary to patella baja in total knee arthroplasty (TKA)

  • M. A. Vives-Barquiel
  • A. Torrents
  • L. Lozano
  • J. C. Martínez-Pastor
  • F. Maculé
  • J. M. Segur
  • D. Popescu
Knee Revision Surgery
First Online:
Received:

Abstract

Introduction

Stiffness after a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is one of the most common post-operative complications. The purpose of this study is the evaluation of the effectiveness of TT proximalization osteotomy of improving a lack of flexion and secondary pain in patella baja (infera) post-TKA.

Materials and methods

Between April 2007 and July 2012, TT proximalization osteotomy was performed on 21 patients. The average preoperative flexion was 70° (in a range of 60–80). Clinical pre- and post-operative evaluations were performed with Knee Society Score, Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index scales and a satisfaction survey. Modified Blackburn-Peel index and Portner angle were used to evaluate patellar height.

Results

After an average follow-up of 35 months (range 18–48), an average flexion of 100° (range 90–100) and an overall satisfaction were obtained. Clinical scores improved significantly. The Blackburn-Peel index and Portner angle improved significantly from 0.3 (range 0.1–0.5) to 0.4 (0.3–0.5) and from 9 (3–15) to 12 (9–18), respectively. Three patients showed no signs of osteotomy consolidation. However, this was not linked to a lack of extension or an increase in local pain.

Conclusion

TT proximalization osteotomy provides satisfactory results in improving a lack of flexion and pain in patella baja post-TKR.

Keywords

Tibial tuberosity osteotomy TKA Knee stiffness 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015

Authors and Affiliations

  • M. A. Vives-Barquiel
    • 1
  • A. Torrents
    • 2
  • L. Lozano
    • 3
  • J. C. Martínez-Pastor
    • 3
  • F. Maculé
    • 3
  • J. M. Segur
    • 1
  • D. Popescu
    • 3
  1. 1.Resident Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgery DepartmentHospital Clínic BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
  2. 2.IDIBAPSBarcelonaSpain
  3. 3.Knee UnitHospital Clínic BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain

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