Abstract
Introduction
The deformity in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee has been evaluated mainly in the frontal plane two dimensional X-ray using femorotibial angle. Although the presence of underlying rotational deformity in the varus knee and coexisting hip abnormality in the valgus knee have been suggested, three dimensional (3D) deformities in the varus and valgus knee were still unknown. We evaluated the 3D deformities of the varus and valgus knee using 3D bone models.
Methods
Preoperative computed tomography (CT) scans of twenty seven OA knees (fifteen varus and twelve valgus) undergoing total knee arthroplasty were assessed in this study. CT scans of each patient's femur and tibia, with a 2 mm interval, obtained before surgery. We created the 3D digital model of the femur and tibia using visualization and modeling software developed in our institution. The femoral coordinate system was calculated by the 3D mechanical axis and clinical transepicondylar axis and the tibial coordinate system was calculated by the 3D mechanical axis and Akagi's line. The 3D deformities of the knee were determined by the relative position of the femorotibial coordinate system, and described by the tibial position relative to the femur. The anteversion of the femoral neck were calculated to evaluate the relationship between the valgus knee and hip region.
Results
The 3D deformities of the varus knee were 12.1±5.5°varus (5.4 to 22.6°), 6.8±6.3°flexion (1.7 to 21.7°) and 6.5±6.1 °external rotation (−1.2 to 23.2°). The flexion and external rotational deformities were larger in knees with increased varus deformities. The 3D deformities of the valgus knee were 10.2±4.2°valgus (0.6 to 15.0°), 9.5±8.8°flexion (−5.2 to 23.7°) and 2.3±7.3°external rotation (−9.4 to 16.1°). Although there were no tendency about the 3D deformities in the valgus knee, the anteversion of the femoral neck in the valgus knees was 31.9°compared with 10.8°in the varus knees.
Conclusion
The varus deformity in OA of the knee is associated with significant flexion and external rotational deformity. In contrast, the valgus deformity has a biomechanical background originating from the anteversion of the femoral neck.
