Three-dimensional (3D) weight-bearing alignment of the lower extremity is crucial for understanding biomechanics of the normal and pathological functions at the hip, knee, and ankle joints. In addition, implant position with reference to bone is a critical factor affecting the long-term survival of artificial joints. The purpose of this study was to develop a biplanar system using a slot-scan radiography (SSR) for assessing weight-bearing alignment of the lower extremity and for assessing implant positioning with respect to bone. A SSR system (Sonial Vision Safire 17, Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan) with a custom-made rotation table was used to capture x-ray images at 0 deg and 60 deg relative to the optical axis of an x-ray source [Fig.1]. The SSR system uses collimated fan beam x-rays synchronized with the movement of a flat-panel detector. This system allows to obtain a full length x-ray image of the body with reduced dose and small image distortion compared with conventional x-ray systems. Camera calibration was performed beforehand using an acrylic reference frame with 72 radiopaque markers to determine the 3D positions of the x-ray source and the image plane in the coordinate system embedded in the reference frame. Sawbone femur and tibia and femoral components of the Advance total knee system (Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, TN, USA) were used. Computed tomography of the sawbone femur and tibia was performed to allow the reconstruction of the 3D surface models. For the component, the computer aided design (CAD) model provided by the manufacturer was used. Local coordinate system of each surface model was defined based on central coordinates of 3 reference markers attached to each model. The sawbone femur and tibia were immobilized at extension, axial rotation, and varus deformity and were imaged using the biplanar SSR system. The 3D positions of the femur and tibia were recovered using an interactive 2D to 3D image registration method [Fig.2]. Then, the femoral component was installed to the sawbone femur. The 3D positions of the femur and femoral component were recovered using the above-mentioned image registration method. Overall, the largest estimation errors were 1.1 mm in translation and 0.9 deg in rotation for assessing the alignment, and within 1 mm in translation and 1 deg in rotation for assessing the implant position, demonstrating that this method has an adequate accuracy for the clinical usage.
In measured resection (MR) technique it is sometimes not easy to equalize extension gap (EG) and flexion gap (FG) because the size of femoral component is generally determined only depending on the anteroposterior and mediolateral size of femoral condyle in MR technique. In order to equalize the EG and FG, femoral implant size should be determined so that the FG is similar to the EG. We developed the novel sizing technique of femoral component to equalize the EG and FG in MR technique. The purpose of this study was to examine the usefulness of this technique. Before surgery, the condylar twist angle: CTA (angle between the transepicondylar axis and the posterior condylar axis) was determined for individual knees by transepicondylar view (X ray) or CT. During surgery, after osteophyte was removed EG was made and measured. Knee was flexed in 90° and the specially made tensor which upper paddle has the medial inclination angle (same as the CTA) was inserted to FG before posterior femoral osteotomy. Then, the appropriate traction force was applied to FG. Under this condition, the correct rotational alignment of femur relative to tibia was obtained, and then, the size of femoral component could be determined so that the FG was similar to the EG by measuring the distance between tibial cut surface and posterior cut level of the respective size of femoral conponent. 23 knees that undergone TKA for end stage medial osteoarthritis were examined and the final EG and FG were measured. EG and FG were measured at the mediolateral center of the gap without any trial component.Background
Methods
Computed tomography (CT) based preoperative planning provides useful information for severe TKA and revision TKA cases, such as the amount of augmentation, length of stem extension and component alignment, to achieve correct alignment and joint line. In this study, we evaluated TKA alignment performed with CT preoperative planning. 7 primary TKAs for severe deformity and 3 revision TKAs were included. CT preoperative planning was performed with JIGEN (LEXI, Japan). Constrained condylar prosthesis (LCCK, Zimmer) were used in all case. For femoral component, axial alignment was decided by controlled IM rod insertion to femoral canal. Rotational alignment was decided according to anterior cortex that usually was not compromised. For tibial component, axial alignment was set to perpendicular to tibial mechanical axis. Coverage and joint line level were carefully decided. The amount of bone resection of bilateral distal and posterior femoral condyle and proximal tibia was measured, respectively. Stem extension length and offset were selected according to components position and canal filling. Amount of augmentation was also estimated bilateral distal and posterior femoral condyle, respectively. Postoperative component alignment was evaluated three-dimensionally with Knee-CAS (LEXI, Japan).Introduction
Materials and Methods
To explain the knee kinematics, the vector of the quadriceps muscle, the primary extensor, is important and the relationship of the quadriceps vector (QV) to other kinematic and anatomic axes will help in understanding the knee. Knee kinematics is important for understanding knee diseases and is critical for positioning total knee arthroplasty components. The relationship of the quadriceps to knee has not been fully elucidated. Three-dimensional imaging now makes it possible to construct a computer based solid model of the quadriceps and to calculate the vector of the muscle as individual parts and as a whole. Two studies are presented, one American and one Japanese subjects. Using CT data from subjects who had CT for reasons other than lower extremity pathology (American) or specifically for the study (Japanese), 3-D models of each quadriceps component (vastus medialis, intermedius, lateralis and rectus femoris) were generated. Using principal component analysis for direction and volume for length, a vector for each muscle was constructed and addition of the vectors gave the QV. Three anatomic axes were defined: Anatomic Axis (AA) – long axis of the shaft of the femur; Mechanical Axis (MA) center of the femoral head to the center of the trochlear and the Spherical Axis (SA) – a line from the geometric center of the head of the femur to the geometric center of the medial condyle of the femur at the knee. Fourteen American cases (mean age 39.1, 9 male 5 female) and 40 Japanese subjects (mean age 29.1, 21 male, 19 female) were evaluated. In all subjects the quadriceps vector at the level of the center of the femoral head was anterolateral to the center of the femoral head. The position of the QV was more lateral in Japanese compared to Americans; and, in Japanese, the vector was more lateral and posterior for women than for men. In both study populations, the QV was most closely aligned with the SA as compared to the AA or the MA. The vector representing the quadriceps pull, originating at the top of the patella, progresses proximally toward the We conclude that the QV as calculated progresses from the top of the patella to the mid-femoral neck and the SA is most closely parallel to this vector.
