Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to verify the hypothesis that there is the laterality of indication in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) .
Materials: Fully documented 966 arthroplasties were extracted from the TKA database, in which diagnosis except OA and RA, history of trauma and /or previous operation were excluded. Bilateral simultaneous TKA and TKA performed on the opposite side after the first TKA were also excluded, thus remaining 625 cases, of which 464 OA and 161 RA, and 102 males and 523 females.
Results: In OA and RA, there was no laterality at male while left side knee was operated more on female. Also strong significance at female makes whole group into left side laterality.
Discussion: The reason of left side laterality remains unknown but functional difference of the limb is suspected. In Japan, majority of the population are right-footed. When right-footed, left limb is always bearing weight. Excessive weight bearing on left side continues for life. Weaker muscle strength in female affects more load to joint than that in male, thus causing more deterioration to female's left side cartilage.
