Epicondylar Osteotomy Guide for Knee Ligament Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for knee ligament balancing in total knee replacement procedures are controversial and lack consensus on the best technique, often leading to ligament imbalance, accelerated poly wear, pain, instability, and stiffness due to inadequate methods for achieving proper ligament lengthening and tensioning.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving an epicondylar osteotomy fixation guide and elongated ligament tension element with anchoring elements for adjusting ligament tension, including a method for partial osteotomy and fixation to effectively lengthen or tighten ligaments, and a bellows system for precise gap balancing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If pie cuts are made in the lateral ligament to lengthen it, then ligament length is increased, but the ligament strength is weakened and may lead to rupture
Solution Approach 1:
The lateral ligament is divided into multiple segments through pie cuts, allowing the ligament to be lengthened by spreading these segments apart rather than making a single large incision. This segmented approach distributes the stress and maintains ligament integrity while achieving the necessary lengthening.
Solution Approach 2:
The pie cuts are made in advance before final ligament tensioning, allowing the ligament to be gradually lengthened and adjusted to the proper tension. This preliminary segmentation prepares the ligament for controlled lengthening without sudden stress that could cause rupture.
2Length of moving object
If the medial collateral ligament origin is recessed into the metaphyseal bone opening to shorten the ligament, then ligament length is decreased, but the surgical complexity and time required are increased
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely recessing the ligament origin into the bone opening, a partial recess is created that provides sufficient ligament shortening and tensioning. This partial action achieves the necessary effect without the full complexity and time requirement of complete recessing.
3Reliability
If different techniques and sequences for ligament release are used, then ligament balancing may be achieved, but there is no consensus on the best method leading to variability in outcomes
Solution Approach 1:
The system allows adjustment of ligament tension through controlled lengthening and shortening procedures, enabling the surgeon to achieve optimal ligament balance by modifying key parameters such as ligament length and tension. This systematic approach to parameter adjustment provides a reliable method that can be adapted to different patient anatomies.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system and method of knee ligament balancing for knee replacement procedures. The disclosure provides a system of components to implant to achieve ligament balancing. In addition, instruments and methods are provided to achieve the desired balance of the ligaments before final fixation.