Open AccessA morphometric study of normal and varus knees
Author(s) -
Puthumanapully Pramod Kumar,
Harris Simon J.,
Leong Anthony,
Cobb Justin P.,
Amis Andrew A.,
Jeffers Jonathan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.806
H-Index - 125
eISSN - 1433-7347
pISSN - 0942-2056
DOI - 10.1007/s00167-014-3337-2
Subject(s) - coronal plane , facet (psychology) , medicine , femur , tibia , orthodontics , anatomy , surgery , psychology , social psychology , personality , big five personality traits
Purpose The aim of the study was to investigate varus and normal knee morphologies to identify differences that may affect knee replacement alignment or design for varus knees. Methods Computed tomography scans of varus and normal knees were analyzed, and geometric shapes, points and axes were fit to the femur and tibia independently. These points were then projected in the three anatomical planes to measure the variations between the two groups. Results In the femur, varus knees had less femoral anteversion ( p < 0.0001) and a larger medial extension facet ( p < 0.05) compared with normal knees. In the tibia, the tubercle was found to be externally rotated in varus knees (12°), with a significant increase in the coronal slope ( p = 0.001) and the extension facet angle ( p = 0.002). Conclusions The study highlighted the differences and similarities found between the two groups, which raises awareness on changes required during surgical intervention and component placement or design for a varus knee. This is particularly relevant for the design of patient‐specific instrumentation and implants. Levels of evidence Diagnostic study, Level III.