Severe knee osteoarthritis accompanied by advanced angular deformity not only induces chronic, debilitating pain but also severely impairs an individual’s ability to walk. Recently, orthopedic specialists at the Center for Trauma, Orthopedics, and Burns at Quang Nam Provincial General Hospital accomplished a complex surgical milestone, successfully restoring mobility for an elderly patient afflicted with this challenging condition.
The patient practices walking at the hospital following the total knee replacement surgery. Photo: Hospital provided
Overcoming Severe Joint Degeneration and Structural Deformity
The patient was admitted presenting with excruciating pain in the left knee, noticeable joint deformity, and an inability to walk independently. Initial diagnostic radiographs revealed end-stage osteoarthritis: the articular cartilage was entirely eroded, resulting in severe bone-on-bone friction and pronounced mechanical axis deviation of the lower extremity. Every attempt to stand or take a step had become a painful struggle.
Following an in-depth clinical consultation, the surgical team at the Center for Trauma, Orthopedics, and Burns decided to execute a Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA). The primary objectives extended beyond simply replacing the damaged articular surfaces to relieve pain; critically, the team needed to reconstruct and realign the mechanical axis of the lower limb.
Precision Execution and Remarkable Recovery
Post-operative X-ray assessments confirmed exceptional surgical precision and outcomes:
- Complete soft-tissue release of contracted structures and meticulous rebalancing of surrounding stabilizing ligaments.
- Implantation of the prosthetic knee joint strictly aligned with anatomical and mechanical axes, ensuring optimal range of motion.
- Complete correction of the leg’s angular deviation, effectively restoring a straight mechanical axis.
- Superb flexion and extension parameters on lateral radiograph projections, promising excellent functional recovery.
Within a short recovery period under tailored physiotherapeutic guidance, the patient was able to stand upright confidently, bear full weight symmetrically on both legs, and walk unassisted through the hospital corridors free from chronic joint pain.
Elevating Orthopedic Excellence in Central Vietnam
Total knee arthroplasty for joints with severe axial deviation represents a highly intricate orthopedic intervention that demands extensive clinical acumen, meticulous surgical technique, and state-of-the-art medical technology. This successful operation highlights the advanced diagnostic and surgical capabilities of the medical staff at Quang Nam Provincial General Hospital, continuously elevating healthcare quality and delivering life-changing interventions to the community.
