Van der Merwe, J. F.Hartzenberg, F.2021-05-132021-05-132020-06http://hdl.handle.net/11660/11060Background: The aim of this study was to establish if the degree of deformity correction during total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has an influence on post-operative patient satisfaction. Patient and methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive analytical study of 180 patients that underwent an elective TKA using computer assisted software. Patients were divided into two groups according to the degree of deformity correction required to obtain a neutral mechanical axis: 3-degrees-andmore or less-than-3-degrees. Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores (KOOS) were collected at the pre-operative, 6 week and 1 year post-operative intervals. The mean KOOS scores were compared at each interval and the difference between mean KOOS scores were compared for the following intervals: pre-operative to 6 weeks postoperative; pre-operative to 1 year postoperative; 6 weeks to 1 year postoperative. Results: The pre-operative mean KOOS scores for the group of patients that required a 3-degree-andmore deformity correction were statistically higher than the group requiring less-than-3-degreedeformity correction. At 6 week and 1 year follow ups there was no statistical difference between the two comparison groups. With respect to mean KOOS score improvement between intervals, the group that required less than 3 degrees of deformity correction showed statistically significant improvement in symptoms for the pre-operative to 1 year follow up period. Conclusion: Results of the study showed that patients requiring a lesser correction of their malalignment do better after TKA.enDissertation (M.Med. (Orthopaedic Surgery)--Univesity of the Free State, 2020Knee ArthroplastyOutcomeMechanical alignmentDeformity correctionDissertationUniversity of the Free State