Balanced Knee System Clinical Protocol for IRB Approval

The rationale is based on the potential effectiveness of the BKS to:

• Return patient to normal activities or increase mobility by restoring knee function.
• Provide stability to enhance rehabilitation without external support.
• Eliminate or reduce knee pain.
• Assess the clinical efficacy after total knee replacement.
• Determine implant survivorship and viability.
• Evaluate patient function and satisfaction.

Inclusion criteria

• Loss of joint configuration and joint function.
• Osteoarthritis of the knee joint.
• Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee joint.
• Post-traumatic arthritis of the knee joint.
• Moderate valgus, varus, or flexion deformities.

Exclusion criteria

• Any patient not experiencing a compromised quality of life by loss of joint function and/or joint configuration, or pain from arthritis disease.
• Any patient whose knee cannot be returned to normal function and normal stability through reconstructive procedures, including ligamentous balancing.
• Active infection in or near the knee joint, fever and/or local inflammation signs, and elevation of sedimentation rate unexplained by other diseases should not be treated unless preoperative infection is ruled out.
• Distant foci of infection, such as genitourinary, pulmonary, skin (chronic lesions or ulcerations), and other sites, which may result in hematogenous spread to the implant site.
• Rapid joint destruction or bone absorption apparent on roentgenograms.
• Neuromuscular disorders in which the potentially adverse effects on prosthesis function are not outweighed by the benefits gained by the patient from usage of the prosthesis.
• Mental disorders which would compromise essential patient post-operative care.
• A painless, stable arthrodesis in a functional position.
• Allergic reactions to implant materials, and/or tissue reactions to the products of corrosion or wear.
• Skeletal immaturity.
• Any patient who is unwilling or unable to comply with post-operative instructions or clinical study requirements.