The effect of femoral component rotation and asymmetry in total knee replacements.

Between April 1999 and February 2000, femoral component rotation and asymmetry (universal versus anatomic) were studied in a prospective randomized control trial in 101 consecutive patients undergoing total knee replacement. Patients were randomly assigned to four groups. The same surgical technique was used in all patients except for femoral component symmetry and rotational alignment. Universal femoral components provide a cheaper and equally reliable solution compared to anatomic compo nents. External rotation of the femoral component or using an anatomic femoral component did not statistically reduce the need for lateral release or improve patellar tracking.