Dynamic Alignment Analysis in the Osteoarthritic Knee Using Computer Navigation

J Knee Surg DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1598037The lower limb alignment is influenced by the geometry of the joint surfaces and surrounding soft tissue tension. The mechanical behavior changes in a normal, osteoarthritic, and postoperative knee. The purpose of this study is to determine the dynamic coronal femoral tibial mechanical angle (FTMA) in osteoarthritic knees using computer navigation. The authors hypothesize that there are different varus-valgus patterns between flexion and extension in the osteoarthritic knee. We conducted a transversal observational study and included patients with osteoarthritis who underwent primary navigation TKA (Orthopilot version 4.2; B. Braun Aesculap, Tuttlingen, Germany). In total, 98 consecutive patients with 100 osteoarthritic knee joints, on which total knee arthroplasty was performed in our institution from 2009 to 2010, were enrolled in this prospective study. The FTMA was measured with the patient supine with maximum knee extension possible (considering the value as 0), 30, 60, and 90 degrees. All FMTA data obtained were segmented by hierarchic cluster measuring method. Through the clustering system, five segments were generated for varus patients and three for valgus patients: expected varus, expected valgus, severe varus, severe valgus, structured varus, structured valgus, concave varus, mixed varus-valgus, and mixed valgus-varus. The findings of the present study have demonstrated that there is a well-defined dynamic alignment in osteoar...
Source: Journal of Knee Surgery - Category: Orthopaedics Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research