Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41029788›Full record

ReviewKnee surgery & related research2025

From empirical to analytical: Soft-tissue tension gauging in total knee arthroplasty.

Xiang-Dong Wu, Yunfeng Zhang, Zhuyi Ma, Qi Wang, Hongyi Shao, Dejin Yang, Yixin Zhou

Abstract readReview
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Review in Knee surgery & related research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Xiang-Dong Wu *Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, National Center for Orthopaedics, No. 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3920-4372
Yunfeng Zhang *Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, National Center for Orthopaedics, No. 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, China.
Zhuyi Ma *Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, National Center for Orthopaedics, No. 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, China.
Qi WangDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, National Center for Orthopaedics, No. 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, China.
Hongyi ShaoDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, National Center for Orthopaedics, No. 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, China.
Dejin YangDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, National Center for Orthopaedics, No. 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, China.
Yixin ZhouDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Fourth Clinical College of Peking University, National Center for Orthopaedics, No. 31 Xinjiekou East Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, 100035, China. orthoyixin@yahoo.com.

Funding

Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Natural Fund Incubation Program ZR-202304Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Youth Fund QN-202410Beijing Natural Science Foundation L244059Beijing Natural Science Foundation L254008Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research 2024-2-1122Digestive Medical Coordinated Development Center of Beijing Hospitals Authority ZLRK202505National Key R&D Program of China 2023YFC2411000School Nature Science Foundation of Capital Medical University PYZ23129Young Elite Scientist Sponsorship Program By BAST BYESS2024341
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Soft-tissue balancing is essential for achieving optimal outcomes in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), significantly impacting postoperative joint function, patient satisfaction, and implant longevity. Despite advancements in surgical techniques, traditional methods for evaluating soft-tissue tension remain largely subjective, leading to inconsistent outcomes and patient dissatisfaction. Recent technological developments, particularly the integration of digital devices, have shown promise in transforming soft-tissue balancing from a subjective art into a reproducible science. This manuscript is a narrative review that systematically summarizes the historical and technological evolution of soft-tissue tension gauging methods in TKA, encompassing experiential methods, mechanical tensors, and contemporary digital sensors. We critically discuss the strengths, limitations, and available clinical evidence for each method. Furthermore, this review highlights the integration of robotic systems and provides insights into future translational strategies, emphasizing artificial-intelligence-driven personalized soft-tissue balancing as a promising therapeutic direction. This review further comprehensively discusses soft-tissue tension gauging methods in TKA, providing a clear understanding of their evolution from subjective assessments to objective digital technologies. This study provides a robust theoretical foundation for the clinical application of digital tensors and robotic technologies. Integrating these technologies with artificial intelligence can effectively transform soft-tissue balancing strategies, thereby enhancing surgical precision, patient satisfaction, and clinical outcomes in TKA.

Indexed as

SensorSoft-tissue balancingSoft-tissue tensionTensorTotal knee arthroplasty

Identifiers

PMID41029788
PMCPMC12487167

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.