In a prospective study, 44 patients with primary
osteoarthritis of the knee undergoing total knee arthroplasty
were compared to determine whether surgical closure of the
entire wound in flexion had any effect on the postoperative
range of motion over a period of six months. In twenty-two
patients the knee was surgically closed in 70° to 90° flexion. In
the second group of 22 patients, knees were closed in extension.
There was no significant difference between groups respect
to age, gender, weigth and preoperative range of motion.
All of the patients were operated on by the same team of surgeons
and with the same type of prosthesis. Both groups of
patients received a standardized exercise program during their
hospitalization. All patients were evaluated following the
parameters of the Hospital for Special Surgery score at discharge
from the hospital, at first month, third and sixth month
after operation. At all the intervals, both the flexion measurements
and function scores were better in the flexion closure
group, although we only found statistically significant difference
at discharge and at the first month postoperatively. The
position of the knee in the surgical closing of an arthroplasty
doesn't affect to its functionality.

In a prospective study, 44 patients with primary
osteoarthritis of the knee undergoing total knee arthroplasty
were compared to determine whether surgical closure of the
entire wound in flexion had any effect on the postoperative
range of motion over a period of six months. In twenty-two
patients the knee was surgically closed in 70° to 90° flexion. In
the second group of 22 patients, knees were closed in extension.
There was no significant difference between groups respect
to age, gender, weigth and preoperative range of motion.
All of the patients were operated on by the same team of surgeons
and with the same type of prosthesis. Both groups of
patients received a standardized exercise program during their
hospitalization. All patients were evaluated following the
parameters of the Hospital for Special Surgery score at discharge
from the hospital, at first month, third and sixth month
after operation. At all the intervals, both the flexion measurements
and function scores were better in the flexion closure
group, although we only found statistically significant difference
at discharge and at the first month postoperatively. The
position of the knee in the surgical closing of an arthroplasty
doesn't affect to its functionality.