A lateral parapatellar approach with iliotibial band dissection from the Gerdy tubercle for total knee arthroplasty of the valgus knee.

Valgus knee, which causes severe dysfunction and seriously affects the quality of life of patients, is a condition affecting 10% of patients who undergo total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The best choice of surgical approach and the method of release of soft tissue, however, is still unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the clinical efficacy of a lateral parapatellar approach with iliotibial band (ITB) dissection from the Gerdy tubercle for TKA in valgus knees. In total, 56 patients (25 males and 31 females) who underwent surgery via a lateral parapatellar approach with ITB dissection from the Gerdy tubercle for TKA due to valgus knee, with at least one-year follow-up, were retrospectively analyzed. Operation duration, length of time leg was raised post-surgery, prosthetic position, lower limb force line, visual analogue score for pain (VAS), range of movement (ROM), and Knee Society Scores (KSS; including knee score and functional score) were reviewed and analyzed. The data indicated that VAS, ROM and KSS were significantly improved after surgery compared with those before surgery. Additionally, no patient had a deviation in prosthetic position or limb alignment greater than 5˚. These results suggest that a lateral parapatellar approach with ITB dissection from the Gerdy tubercle for TKA is an effective technique to treat valgus knee, which can significantly improve pain and function without deviation of the lower limb mechanical axis or prosthesis position.