How precise is the determination of rotational alignment of the femoral prosthesis in total knee arthroplasty: an in vivo study

J Arthroplasty. 2007 Oct;22(7):1042-8. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2006.12.043.

Abstract

Correct rotation of the femoral component is critical in avoiding patellar instability in total knee arthroplasty. This study attempted to compare the precision of 4 commonly used methods (transepicondylar axis [TEA], 3 degrees external rotation [ER] from posterior condylar line [PCL], perpendicular cut to Leo Whiteside line [WSL], and balanced flexion gap [GAP]) in determining the rotational alignment of the femoral prosthesis in an in vivo setting. The ranges of error were as follows: (1) TEA, 28 degrees (17 degrees internal rotation [IR] to 11 degrees ER); (2) PCL, 27 degrees (13 degrees IR to 14 degrees ER); (3) WSL, 32 degrees (17 degrees IR to 15 degrees ER); (4) GAP, 26 degrees (14 degrees IR to 12 degrees ER). If an error of more than 5 degrees from neutral alignment is defined as an outlier, 56% in TEA, 72% in PCL, 60% in WSL, and 20% in GAP methods would fall in the outlier zone.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / methods*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Female
  • Femur / anatomy & histology*
  • Femur / physiology
  • Femur / surgery
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Joint Instability / prevention & control
  • Knee Joint / anatomy & histology*
  • Knee Joint / physiology
  • Knee Joint / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prosthesis Design
  • Prosthesis Fitting
  • Range of Motion, Articular / physiology
  • Surgery, Computer-Assisted / methods*