Intraoperative Sensing Technology to Achieve Balance in Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty

» Instability following total knee arthroplasty has been reported as a major cause for early or delayed total knee arthroplasty revision. » Balancing the knee remains an inexact art with no standardized protocol to optimize soft-tissue tension. » The sensing technology reviewed in this article allows surgeons to intraoperatively analyze several parameters, including tibiofemoral rotational alignment, quantitative pressure at peak contact points in the medial and lateral compartments during both total knee arthroplasty trialing and final implant positioning, evaluation of the kinematics of the prosthetic knee, and, finally, correcting soft-tissue imbalance in real time. » This technology has the potential for improved outcomes, reduction in constrained implant utilization, increased patient satisfaction, and lower revision rates.