Objectives. Normal sagittal spine-pelvis-lower extremity alignment is crucial in humans for maintaining an ergonomic upright standing posture, and pathogenesis in any segment leads to poor balance. The present study aimed to investigate how this sagittal alignment can be affected by severe knee osteoarthritis (KOA), and whether associated changes corresponded with symptoms of lower back pain (LBP) in this patient population. Methods. Lateral radiograph films in an upright standing position were obtained from 59 patients with severe KOA and 58 asymptomatic controls free from KOA. Sagittal alignment of the spine, pelvis, hip and proximal femur was quantified by measuring several radiographic parameters. Global balance was accessed according to the relative position of the C7 plumb line to the sacrum and femoral heads. The presence of chronic LBP was documented. Comparisons between the two groups were carried by independent samples t-tests or chi-squared test. Results. Patients with severe KOA showed significant backward femoral inclination (FI), hip flexion, forward spinal inclination, and higher prevalence of global imbalance (27.1% versus 3.4%, p < 0.001) compared with controls. In addition, patients with FI of 10° (n = 23) showed reduced lumbar lordosis and significant forward spinal inclination compared with controls, whereas those with FI > 10° (n = 36) presented with significant pelvic anteversion and hip flexion. A total of 39 patients with KOA (66.1%) suffered from LBP. There was no significant difference in sagittal alignment between KOA patients with and without LBP. Conclusions. The sagittal alignment of spine-pelvis-lower extremity axis was significantly influenced by severe KOA. The lumbar spine served as the primary source of compensation, while hip flexion and pelvic anteversion increased for further compensation. Changes in sagittal alignment may not be involved in the pathogenesis of LBP in this patient population. Cite this article: W. J. Wang, F. Liu, Y.W. Zhu, M.H. Sun, Y. Qiu, W. J. Weng. Sagittal alignment of the spine-pelvis-lower extremity axis in patients with severe knee osteoarthritis: A radiographic study. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:198–205. DOI:10.1302/2046-3758.55.2000538

Cranio-cervical connection is a well-established biomechanical concept. However, literature of this connection and its impact on cervical alignment is scarce. Chin incidence (CI) is defined as a complementary to the angle between chin tilt (CHT) and C2 slope (C2S) axes. This study aims to investigate the relationship between cervical sagittal alignment parameters and CI with its derivatives. A retrospective cross-sectional study carried out in a tertiary center. CT-neck radiographs of non-orthopedics patients were included. They had no history of spine related symptoms or fractures in cranium or pelvis. Images’ reports were reviewed to exclude those with tumors in the c-spine or anterior triangle of the neck. A total of 80 patients was included with 54% of them were males. The mean of age was 30.96± 6.03. Models of predictability for c2-c7 cobb's angle (CA) and C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) using C2S, CHT, and CI were significant and consistent r20.585 (f(df3,76) =35.65, P ≤0.0001, r=0.764), r20.474 (f(df2,77) =32.98, P ≤0.0001, r=-0.550), respectively. In addition, several positive significant correlations were detected in our model in relation to sagittal alignment parameters. Nonetheless, models of predictability for CA and SVA in relation to neck tilt (NT), T1 slope (T1S) and thoracic inlet axis (TIA) were less consistent and had a significant marginally weaker attributable effect on CA, however, no significant effect was found on SVA r20.406 (f(df1,78) =53.39, P ≤0.0001, r=0.620), r20.070 (f(df3,76) =1.904, P 0.19), respectively. Also, this study shows that obesity and aging are linked to decreased CI which will result in increasing SVA and ultimately decreasing CA. CI model has a more valid attributable effect on the sagittal alignment in comparison to TIA model. Future investigations factoring this parameter might enlighten its linkage to many cervical spine diseases or post-op complications (i.e., trismus)

Cervical spine facet tropism (CFT) defined as the facets’ joints angles difference between right and left sides of more than 7 degrees. This study aims to investigate the relationship between cervical sagittal alignment parameters and cervical spine facets’ tropism. A retrospective cross-sectional study carried out in a tertiary center where cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radiographs of patients in orthopedics/spine clincs were included. They had no history of spine fractures. Images’ reports were reviewed to exclude those with tumors in the c-spine. A total of 96 patients was included with 63% of them were females. The mean of age was 45.53± 12.82. C2-C7 cobb's angle (CA) and C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) means were −2.85±10.68 and 1.51± 0.79, respectively. Facet tropism was found in 98% of the sample in at least one level on either axial or sagittal plane. Axial C 2–3 CFT and sagittal C4-5 were correlated with CA (r=0.246, P 0.043, r= −278, P 0.022), respectively. In addition, C2-C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was moderately correlated with axial c2-3 FT (r= −0.330, P 0.006) Also, several significant correlations were detected in our model Cervical vertebral slopes and CFT at the related level. Nonetheless, high BMI was associated with multi-level and multiplane CFT with higher odd's ratios at the lower levels. This study shows that CFT at higher levels is correlated with increasing CA and decreasing SVA and at lower levels with decreasing CA. Obesity is a risk factor for CFT

Background. Oblique implantable total disc replacements (TDR) have been developed in an attempt to partially resect the anterior longitudinal ligament (ALL), together with additional partial resection of lateral annulus fibres. To date, the literature has not addressed the impact of the TDR oblique implantation on the lumbar spine sagittal alignment. The hypothesis of this study was that TDR at the L4-L5 level does not change the sagittal alignment and the range of motion of the lumbar spine when the implant is placed in accurate position. Methods. Prospective single-center radiological investigation of L4/5 TDR inserted through an oblique approach for the treatment of disc disease. A series of 52 patients with a minimum of 2-year FU after oblique TDR at L4/L5 level was analysed for radiological changes in sagittal alignment and range of motion of the lumbar spine. The total sagittal lumbar lordosis (TSLL), the segmental sagittal lumbar lordosis (SSLL) of the operated level, and the range of motion of the TDR implant were determined in pre- and postoperative functional X-rays. The accuracy of the implant position was also evaluated. Results. A total of 52 patients (mean age, 42.7) were available. There were no revision surgeries for general and/or device-related complications. Only a 28.8% of cases (n=15) showed a satisfactory position. Off-center lateralised implants were the most common misplacements. Axial malrotated TDR accounted for the 28.1% of cases. From 3 to 24 months of FU, differences in range of motion were found in the total L1-S1 flexion, and in the mean range of motion of the implant both improving significantly. TDRs showing unsatisfactory implantation in the radiological studies (71.8%) demonstrated similar lumbar and segmental range of motion in comparison to properly implanted TDRs. Conclusions. Oblique implanted L4/L5 TDR significantly increases total lordosis while retaining segmental lordosis, independently of the accuracy of its intervertebral position. Oblique TDR maintains antero-posterior segmental and total balance in most cases. Further studies should evaluate whether this finding has any implication for the long-term outcome. Level of Evidence. Level III

Tibial plateau fracture reduction involves restoration of alignment and articular congruity. Restorations of sagittal alignment (tibial slope) of medial and lateral condyles of the tibial plateau are independent of each other in the fracture setting. Limited independent assessment of medial and lateral tibial plateau sagittal alignment has been performed to date. Our objective was to characterize medial and lateral tibial slopes using fluoroscopy and to correlate X-ray and CT findings. Phase One: Eight cadaveric knees were mounted in extension. C-arm fluoroscopy was used to acquire an AP image and the C-arm was adjusted in the sagittal plane from 15° of cephalad tilt to 15 ° of caudad tilt with images captured at 0.5° increments. The “perfect AP” angle, defined as the angle that most accurately profiled the articular surface, was determined for medial and lateral condyles of each tibia by five surgeons. Given that it was agreed across surgeons that more than one angle provided an adequate profile of each compartment, a range of AP angles corresponding to adequate images was recorded. Phase Two: Perfect AP angles from Phase One were projected onto sagittal CT images in Horos software in the mid-medial compartment and mid-lateral compartment to determine the precise tangent subchondral anatomic structures seen on CT to serve as dominant bony landmarks in a protocol generated for calculating medial and lateral tibial slopes on CT. Phase Three: 46 additional cadaveric knees were imaged with CT. Tibial slopes were determined in all 54 specimens. Phase One: Based on the perfect AP angle on X-ray, the mean medial slope was 4.2°+/-2.6° posterior and mean lateral slope was 5.0°+/-3.8° posterior in eight knees. A range of AP angles was noted to adequately profile each compartment in all specimens and was noted to be wider in the lateral (3.9°+/-3.8°) than medial compartment (1.8°+/-0.7° p=0.002). Phase Two: In plateaus with a concave shape, the perfect AP angle on X-ray corresponded with a line between the superiormost edges of the anterior and posterior lips of the plateau on CT. In plateaus with a flat or convex shape, the perfect AP angle aligned with a tangent to the subchondral surface extending from center to posterior plateau on CT. Phase Three: Based on the CT protocol created in Phase Two, mean medial slope (5.2°+/-2.3° posterior) was significantly less than lateral slope (7.5°+/-3.0° posterior) in 54 knees (p<0.001). In individual specimens, the difference between medial and lateral slopes was variable, ranging from 6.8° more laterally to 3.1° more medially. In a paired comparison of right and left knees from the same cadaver, no differences were noted between sides (medial p=0.43; lateral p=0.62). On average there is slightly more tibial slope in the lateral plateau than medial plateau (2° greater). However, individual patients may have substantially more lateral slope (up to 6.8°) or even more medial slope (up to 3.1°). Since tibial slope was similar between contralateral limbs, evaluating slope on the uninjured side provides a template for sagittal plane reduction of tibial plateau fractures

In scoliosis, it is well known that lateral deformity is coupled with vertebral axial rotation. Coupled motion in the sagittal plane, however, has not been investigated. Objective: To investigate the behavior of the sagittal alignment changes when coronal deformity was corrected in idiopathic thoracic scoliosis. Method: 36 idiopathic scoliosis patients with thoracic curves were examined before surgery. Coronal deformity was corrected using the Fulcrum Bending technique1, and biplane radiographs were taken to monitor the correction of the deformity, as well as the coupled sagittal alignment changes. Sagittal alignment was measured from T4/T5 to T12 using Cobb’s method. Difference of less or equal to 3 degrees between two measurements was treated as no change. Results were compared with those measured from standing lateral radiographs prior to and at 1 week after surgery (Posterior correction and fusion with ISOLA: n=15; CD-Horizon: n=8; Moss-Miami: n=11, USS: n=2). Pearson correlation was used for statistical analysis. Results: (A) When scoliosis was corrected under fulcrum bending, the coupled changes in the thoracic kyphosis were decreased if it was greater than 20 degrees (n= 18), increased if less than 20 degrees (n= 2), and kept no change if it was around 20 degrees (n= 16). These changes were not related to the amount of deformity or flexibility in the coronal plane (Table I). (B) There was strong relationship between the sagittal alignment measured on the pre-operative fulcrum bending and postoperative lateral radiographs (P< 0.01). However, the final sagittal alignment was neither correlated with the magnitude or flexibility of the coronal deformity, nor the instrumentation applied (P> 0.05). Discussion: A coupling exists between the coronal lateral deformity and the sagittal alignment in thoracic scoliosis. It seems that the sagittal alignment in a scoliotic spine tends to “normalize” with correction of the deformity: a “hyper-kyphotic” spine tends to reduce, and a “hypo-kyphotic” one tends to increase the kyphosis. Post-operative sagittal alignment seems to be decided by the coupling motion and the amount of curvature of the pre-bent rod, as neither the nature (degree or flexibility or curve pattern) of the coronal deformity nor the choice of instrumentation were related to the post-operative sagittal alignment

Study Design: The effect of Total Hip Replacement surgery (THR) upon spinal sagittal alignment and low back pain was assessed in patients with severe hip osteoarthritis. Summary of Background Data: Osteoarthritis in the hip joint is associated with abnormal posture and gait due to hip flexion contracture and hip pain. This in turn may cause abnormal spinal sagittal alignment and secondarily induce low back and leg pain. However, there have been no reports regarding the corrective effect of Total Hip Replacement surgery upon spinal sagittal alignment in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip. Methods: This study prospectively analyzed the results of 25 patients (15 females and 10 males, average age 67.4 years (32–84)) undergoing THR for severe osteoarthritis of the hip. Pre and post-surgical assessment included; sagittal measurement of Sacral Inclination (SI) and total Lumbar Lordosis (L1-S1) on standing lateral radiographs. Functional clinical outcomes for hip as well as low back were also evaluated using the Oswestry back Questionnaire, the Modified Harris Hip Score and Visual Analog Scale for lower back pain and hip pain accordingly. All the radiographic and clinical evaluations were completed both before THR surgery and 3 months following the surgery during routine follow up. Results: Mean Lumbar Lordosis before the surgery and in the follow up was 50.36 and 50.32 respectively. Mean sacral inclination before and after surgery were 39.06 and 38.16 respectively. Mean Functional outcomes as assessed by the HHS score before and after the surgery were 45.74 and 81.8 respectively. Mean Oswestry Questionnaire scores before and after the surgery were 36.72 and 24.08 respectively. Mean VAS scores for hip pain before and after the surgery were 7.08 and 2.52 respectively. Mean VAS scores for lower back pain before and after the surgery were 5.04 and 3.68 respectively. Discussion: No Significant difference was found between the sagittal alignment of the spine before THR and 3 months following it. Interestingly, total hip replacement surgery significantly improved spinal functional outcome as well as relieved low back and hip pain

Background. Aseptic loosening is rare with most cementless tapered stems in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA), however different factors can modify results. We ask if the shape and technique of three current different femoral components affects the clinical and radiological outcome after a minimum follow-up of ten years. Methods. 889 cementless tapered stems implanted from 1999 to 2007 were prospectively followed. Group 1 (273 hips) shared a conical shape and a porous-coated surface, group 2 (286 hips) a conical splined shape and group 3 (330 hips) a rectangular stem. Clinical outcome and anteroposterior and sagittal radiographic analysis were compared. Femoral type, stem position, femoral canal filling at three levels and the possible appearance of loosening and bone remodelling changes were assessed. Results. No thigh pain was reported in unrevised patients. Mean Harris Hip score was lower for patients in group 3 for pain and function at 6 months, two years and at latest follow-up. The survival rate of not having revision of the stem for any cause was 98.5% (95% CI 98.8–100) for group 1 at 12 years, 99.3 % ((95% Confidence Intervals (CI) 97.9–100) for group 2 at 16 years and 97.7% (95% (CI) 94–100) for group 3 at 14 years, and (log rank= 0.109). Thirteen stems from the latter were revised for aseptic loosening. No revision for aseptic loosening was found in the other designs. After controlling all confounding factors, the risk for aseptic loosening in group 3 was related to a lower femoral canal filling (p=0.039, Hazard Ratio (HR):0.918, 95% Confidence Interval (CI):0.846–0.996) and a stem position outside neutral limits in the sagittal alignment (p=0.048, HR:3.581, 95% CI:1.010–12.696). Conclusions. Conical tapered cementless stems are more reliable than rectangular straight designs in primary THA after ten years

Purpose. A change in lumbar lordosis can affect the outcome following lumbar fusion, and intraoperative positioning is a prime determinant of the postoperative lordosis. The purpose of this study is to determine the change in lordosis and sacral slope (SS) following axial lumbar interbody fusion (AxiaLIF). Method. We retrospectively reviewed 81 patients who underwent a 360 lumbar interbody fusion at L4-5/L5-S1 (two-level procedure) or solely at L5-S1 (one-level) for degenerative disc disease and spondylolithesis utilizing the AxiaLIF with posterior segmental instrumentation. For the two-level procedures, 25 patients had the AxiaLIF placed first and 27 had pedicle screws placed first. For the one-level procedures, 11 patients had the AxiaLIF placed first and 18 had pedicle screws placed first. Standing lateral preoperative radiographs were compared to standing lateral postoperative films. Lumbar Cobb angles were measured at L1-S1, L4-S1 and individual lumbar levels. SS was measured for sacral version. Results. Of the 81 patients studied, 29 underwent one-level AxiaLIF, and 52 underwent two-level AxiaLIF. For the two-level population, there were statistically significant changes (P less than 0.05) in Cobb angles pre- vs. postoperative at the L4-S1, L2-3, and L4-5 levels, but none other. The percent lordosis from L4-S1 pre- vs. postoperative was also noted to be significant. The pre- vs. postoperative Cobb angle comparisons for the one-level population were not found to be significant. The percentages having a greater than or equal to 10 degree change in total lordosis and lordosis from L4-S1 in both one- and two-level groups were similar at ∼20%. There was no difference in either group in percentage having a greater than or equal to five degree change at individual lumbar segments although there was a trend at both L5-S1 and the SS towards less change with the pedicle screws placed first. Conclusion. A significant portion of both single and multilevel fusions with AxiaLIF had a statistically significant change at the L4-5 and L4-S1 levels. In general, there is a small decrease in lordosis at the bottom two segments and SS with reciprocal changes at the proximal levels. The percentage of total lordosis from the L4-S1 level decreased significantly in the multilevel group. Roussouly lordosis type three (well-balanced) was relatively protected from change in lordosis. Placing pedicle screws prior to placing the AxiaLIF in one- and two- level procedures may lead to an improved sagittal alignment. Further observation of this cohort will determine if the change in alignment will impact outcomes or accelerate adjacent level disease

This study using digitized radiographs and custom software demonstrates that patients with spondylolysis and low-grade spondylolisthesis have increased Pelvic and L5 Incidence as well as a more vertically oriented L5-S1 intervertebral disc than patients without radiographic abnormality of the spine. We propose that shear across the more vertical L5-S1 disc may underlie the etiology of spondylolysis when Pelvic Incidence is high, while a “nutcracker” mechanism may be involved when Pelvic Incidence is low. The purpose of this study was to assess whether differences exist in sagittal alignment between normal controls and patients with spondylolysis or low-grade isthmic spondylolisthesis. Standing PA and lateral spine radiographs from eighty-two consecutive patients with spondylolysis or low-grade spondylolisthesis (Average age nineteen, range 15–44) were retrospectively compared with those from one hundred and sixty normal volunteers. The films were digitized with a VIDAR scanner and key landmarks were determined. Customized software was then used to measure geometric indices. Pelvic Incidence (PI), Sacral Slope (SS), Pelvic Tilt (PT), and L5-S1extension angle were compared between seventy-two patients with high PI (> 45°) versus ten patients with low PI (< 45°). Average high-PI vs. low-PI values were, respectively: PI (67.32° vs. 43.13°), SS (51.08° vs. 38.05°), PT (16.23° vs. 5.08°), and L5-S1ext (−8.69° vs. −9.57°). Furthermore, the range of values for L5-S1extension in the low-PI subgroup was much narrower (−17.81° to 0.93°) than that for the high-PI subgroup (−31.58° to 38.12°). This study demonstrates that patients with spondylolysis and low-grade spondylolisthesis have increased Pelvic and L5 incidence, a more vertically oriented L5-S1 intervertebral disc, and less segmental extension between L5 and S1 than patients without radiographic abnormality of the spine. We propose that different mechanisms underlie the etiology of spondylolysis depending on the magnitude of the Pelvic Incidence. These data highlight the importance of seeing localized lumbosacral spine disorders in the context of global alignment of the entire spine and pelvis. Funding: This research was assisted by support from the Spinal Deformity Study Group. This research was funded by an educational/research grant from Medtronic Sofamor Danek

Background: To analyse the effects of surgery on sagittal alignment. 1. in patients with severe Scheuermann’s kyphosis. To assess the ability of two surgical techniques to prevent loss of correction in the thoracic kyphosis. To assess factors of patient’s Body Mass Index (BMI) and instrumentation level on the risk of adjacent level kyphosis or pullout. Methods: A retrospective study of 13 consecutive cases of rigid Scheuermann’s kyphosis. Group A: 6 patients with anterior interbody cages. GroupB: 7 patients with interbody autogenous rib graft. All patients were instrumented posteriorly from T2 to L2. Radiographs from initial presentation, pre-operatively, post-operatively and at final follow –up were assessed. The thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, sagittal balance. 2. and sacral inclination were measured. Results: There were 7 males and 6 females with a mean age of 22 years (range 15 to 38yrs). The mean follow-up was 26 months (range 7 to 53 mths). In Group A: the mean preoperative kyphosis was 87° (range 82° to 92° ) and postoperative kyphosis was 45° (range 38° to 60°). The mean loss of correction was 0.3° (range 0° to2°). In Group B: the mean preoperative kyphosis was 83° (range 70° to 100°) while the postoperative kyphosis was 43° (range 30° to 60°). The mean loss of correction was 1.1° (range 0°to 2°) at final follow-up. The mean lumbar lordosis pre-operatively for all patients was 66° (range 62° to 84°) reducing to 48° (range 34° to 82°) following surgery. The mean sacral inclination pre-operatively was 41° (range 18° to 80°) reducing to 32 °(range 14°to 40°) following surgery. The mean sagittal balance preoperatively was −1.1 cm (range +0.1 to −3.5). It reduced postoperatively to −2.2 cm (range +1.5 to −4 cm) and was −1.6cm (range +0.2 to – 3.5cm) at final follow- up. Three patients with BMI greater than 25 had an increased lumbar lordosis at final follow up, with one case of implant failure and 2 cases with lower junctional kyphosis. No patient had an upper thoracic junctional kyphosis. There was no evidence of neurological compromise. Conclusion: Patients had a mean thoracic kyphosis correction of 41° (49%). This was maintained during follow-up with no significant difference between autograft and cages. Cranially, all patients had instrumentation to T2 and there was no junctional kyphosis. Caudally, three obese patients (BMI > 25) suffered screw pullout (1 patient) or junctional kyphosis (2 patients). Instrumentation to L3 may avoid this complication in this patient group. The lumbar lordosis and sacral inclination reduced immediately postoperatively, with further correction at final follow –up

Background

Postural change after total hip arthroplasty (THA) is still a matter of discussion. Previous studies have mainly concentrated on the pelvic motions. We report the postoperative changes of the global sagittal posture using pelvic, spinal and lower extremities parameters.

Purpose of the study: Prolongation of the phyisiological sagittal rectitude of the thoracolumbar junction (T11-T1) is often observed in thoracic, double major and lumbar idiopathic scoliosis. The purpose of this study was to check the potential relationship between vertebral rotation, type of curvature in the frontal plane, and the observation of sagittal rectitude exceeding four vertebrae.

Material and methods: The preoperative radiographs of 54 patients (48 female, 6 male, mean age 21 years) with idiopathic scoliosis were analysed with Spineview. The type of curvature: thoracic, double major or lumbar (Lenke 1, 3 or 5) and the Cobb angles were noted. The levels included in the zone of sagittal rectitude, the thoracic kyphosis, the lumbar lordosis, the sacral slope, the pelvic incidence and version, the T1 to T9 tilts were noted on the lateral view. Vertebral rotation was analysed for all thoracic and lumbar vertebrae using the method described by Perdriolle, Nash and Moe on the anteroposterior radiographs. The axial rotation was measured on the scanner.

Results: Curvatures ranged from 36 to 104° (mean 59°). Fifty-two patients had a flat or concave back. Mean T1 tilt was 3°; it was 6° at T9. The pelvic incidence was 49°, the sacral slope 40°, the pelvic version 9°. The detailed analysis demonstrated zones of inferior thoracic hypokyphosis, and superior lumbar hypolordosis resulting in sagittal rectitude (5–7 vertebrae). The maximal vertebral rotation was situated at the superior part of the hypokyphosis or the inferior part of the hypolordosis. Three configurations were identified: 27 thoracic curvatures (Lenke 1) with cranial prolongation of the sagittal rectitude (T8-L1) and maximal rotation at T7-T8; 21 double major curvatures (Lenke 3 with cranial and caudal prolongation (T9-L2 and maximal rotation at T8-T9 and L2-L3 respectively; and 6 lumbar curvatures (Lenke 5) with caudal prolongation (T12-L4) and maximal rotation at L1-L2.

Conclusion: Thoracolumbar sagittal rectitude can be prolonged with three geometric configurations related to the type of thoracic, double major and lumbar curvatures. This zone of rectitude indicates the level of the maximal vertebral rotation at is superior or inferior extremity. It also reflects the zones of segmental hyperkyphosis and hypolordosis that need to be corrected during the surgical treatment of the scoliosis.

Introduction

Design evolution of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has improved implant durability and clinical outcomes. However, it has been reported that some patients have limited satisfaction with their operated knees [1].

In view of better patient satisfaction, there have been growing interests in anatomically aligned TKA. The anatomically aligned TKA technique aims to replicate natural joint line of the patients [2][3]. However, restoration of natural joint line may be difficult for the knees with severe deformity, as their joint alignment with respect to bony landmarks at a time of surgery may be critically different from their pre-diseased state.

The purpose of this study is to investigate alignment of the tibial growth plate with respect to tibial anatomical landmarks for possible application in estimation of pre-diseased joint alignment.

The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between the anterior and posterior spinal elements and identify which morphological changes in the ageing spine has the greatest influence in determining the loss of lumbar lordosis.

Introduction: Correction of lumbar spine deformity in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) can be achieved by pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO), polysegmental osteotomy (PO) or Smith-Petersen osteotomy (SPO). We report our results with these three techniques.

Methods: 26 males and 5 females with AS and average age of 54.7 years (range 40–74 years) underwent surgery for loss of sagittal balance, horizontal gaze and back pain. 12 patients underwent PSO, 10 SPO, and 9 PO. Osteotomy was carried out at L3 in PSO and SPO with pedicle fixation from T11 to S1. 9 patients with PO had osteotomy from L2–5 and fixation from T10-S1. Sagittal translation during corrective manoeuvre was controlled in 21 patients by application of temporary malleable rods, which were substituted with permanent rods. TLSO was used post-operatively for average period of three months. Mean follow-up was 4.2 years (range 1–9 years). Radiographic and clinical outcomes (ODI, VAS, SRS-22) were analysed.

Results: Mean kyphotic correction in PSO was 380 (range 250–490), in PO was 300 (range 280–400) and in SPO was 280 (range 240–380). The sacrohorizontal angle improved by 190(range 50–300) in PSO, 210 (range 80–280) in PO and 150 (range 50–180) in SPO. Outcome scores were better in PSO and PO as compared to SPO. Blood loss and transient nerve root palsy was slightly higher in PSO group. One patient with SPO had fatal bleeding as a result of aortic injury.

Conclusions: Regular use of temporary malleable rods is recommended to prevent sagittal translation during correction reducing the risk of neurological injury. Better correction of deformity was achieved with PSO and PO at the expense of increased blood loss. SPO can increase the risk of vascular injury, therefore we recommend PSO and PO for correction of deformity in Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Aims. This study aimed to evaluate sagittal spinopelvic alignment (SSPA) in the early stage of rapidly destructive coxopathy (RDC) compared with hip osteoarthritis (HOA), and to identify risk factors of SSPA for destruction of the femoral head within 12 months after the disease onset. Methods. This study enrolled 34 RDC patients with joint space narrowing > 2 mm within 12 months after the onset of hip pain and 25 HOA patients showing femoral head destruction. Sharp angle was measured for acetabular coverage evaluation. Femoral head collapse ratio was calculated for assessment of the extent of femoral head collapse by RDC. The following parameters of SSPA were evaluated using the whole spinopelvic radiograph: pelvic tilt (PT), sacral slope (SS), pelvic incidence (PI), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), thoracic kyphosis angle (TK), lumbar lordosis angle (LL), and PI-LL. Results. The HOA group showed higher Sharp angles compared with the RDC group. PT and PI-LL were higher in the RDC group than the HOA group. SS and LL were lower in the RDC group than the HOA group. No difference was found in PI, SVA, or TK between the groups. Femoral head collapse ratio was associated with PT, SS, SVA, LL, and PI-LL. A PI-LL > 20° and a PT > 30° correlated with greater extent of femoral head destruction by RDC. From regression analysis, SS and SVA were significantly associated with the femoral head collapse ratio within 12 months after disease onset. Conclusion. Compared with HOA, RDC in the early stage correlated with sagittal spinopelvic malalignment. SS and SVA may partially contribute to the extent of femoral head destruction by RDC within 12 months after the onset of hip pain. The present study indicates a potential role of SSPA assessment in identification of RDC patients at risk for subsequent bone destruction. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2022;3(1):77–84

This study evaluated the sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. The pelvic configuration influenced the lumbar lordosis but was not associated with the thoracic kyphosis or with the curve type. The pelvic incidence in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis was higher than that reported in the literature for normal adolescents and was closer to the values of pelvic incidence found in adults. The role of the PI in the pathogenesis of AIS needs to be explored in a comparative study involving AIS patients and normal adolescents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sagittal alignment of the spine and pelvis in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) based on the curve type. Five sagittal parameters were retrospectively evaluated on lateral radiographs for one hundred and sixty AIS patients: thoracic kyphosis (TK), lumbar lordosis (LL), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT) and pelvic incidence (PI). The patients were classified according to their coronal curve type. ANOVA was used to compare the parameters between the curve types and Pearson’s coefficients were used to investigate the relationship between all parameters. The TK was significantly lower for King I, II and III curves as compared to lumbar curves. The LL was higher for lumbar curves, although not significantly. No significant change between the groups was observed for SS, PT and PI. The PI was significantly correlated to LL, SS and PT for all groups. The LL was strongly related to the SS in all cases but not with the TK, except for thoracolumbar curves. The TK mostly depended on the spinal deformity while the LL was mainly influenced by the pelvic configuration. The scoliotic curve type was not associated with a specific pattern of sagittal pelvic configuration. The PI was significantly higher than that reported in the literature for normal adolescents. The role of the PI in the pathogenesis of AIS needs to be explored in a comparative study involving AIS patients and normal adolescents. Further study is needed to evaluate the prognostic value of the PI in AIS. Funding: This research was funded by the Canadian Institute of Health Research. Please contact author for figures and/or diagrams

Unexpected findings were sometimes observed such as hyper extension, oversize of femoral component, or anterior notching of anterior femoral cortex in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) using computer system. We conducted this study to evaluate these findings by a virtual simulation using ORTHODOC and then confirmed them on real patients with TKA. Virtual simulations of distal femoral cut in 50 patients using ORTHODOC system were made by way of being perpendicular to mechanical axis (CAOS way) and to intramedullary guide (manual way) in the same knee and measured the difference of sagittal cutting planes. We compared the maximum AP dimensions of femoral condyle parallel to distal cut plane. We also compared sagittal alignment and size of the femoral component in 30 bilateral TKAs, one side using ROBODOC (CAOS way) and the other side using IM guide (manual way). On virtual simulation, distal femoral cut was more extended (3.1±1.6°) in CAOS than in manual way and anteroposterior size of the femoral condyle in CAOS way was also larger than in manual way (p=0.001). Radiographic sagittal alignment of femoral component performed using CAOS way was slightly more extended than those using manual way, showing a significant difference (p=0.024). The larger femoral components were required in six patients on CAOS and in two patients on manual way, whereas twenty-two patients showed same size on both side. CAOS can provide more accurate sagittal cut perpendicular to mechanical axis than manual system, which may lead to slightly extended position or larger femoral component

The goal of treatment in scoliosis is not only curve correction. Restoration of normal sagittal alignment is also very important. Methods describing sagittal balance are various, they include measurement of thoracic kyphosis and lumbar lordosis, alignment of thoracolumbar junction and distance between plumb line from C7 and sacral bone. Goals of work:. Evaluation the sagittal plane alignment after surgery in idiopathic scoliosis, type 5 and 6 according to Lenke classification;. Establishing risk factors of bad end result. Material consists of 52 patients. The mean age at the time of surgery was 16 years with the follow up time of 4 years. There were 29 patients in first group, with Lenke type 5 and 23 patients in the second group, with type 6. The Cobb angle of structural curves was in Lenke 5 group 52.5o ± 5.9 and in Lenke 6 group − 54.4o ± 8,4 in thoracic spine and 66.3o ± 11.9 in lumbar spine. Preoperative thoracic kyphosis was 20.9o ± 6.9 and 29.3o ± 15.5. Lumbar lordosis was 42.5o ± 11.4 and 35.9o ± 11.4. Thoracolumbar junction was almost straight in first group; Th12-L2 angle was 0o ± 6.7 and slight kyphotic in second group: 4o ± 8.1. All the patients underwent posterior fusion with derotational instrumentation. Radiological assessment was performed using postero-anterior and lateral radiograms. Own scale of treatment result evaluation was introduced. Results: During control examination the thoracic kyphosis was 30.1o ± 7.8 and 27.8o ± 9.4 and lumbar lordosis was 40.3o ± 12.3 and 35.7o ± 9.9. During follow-up, the mean thoracolumbar junction angle was −4.4o ± 9.6 and −7.9o ± 9.9. Proper alignment of thoracolumbar junction was observed in 24 patients (82.8%) from first group and 21 patients (91%) from the second. Good results in sagittal plane were noted in 22 cases (76%) from Lenke 5 group and 21 cases (91%) from Lenke 6 group. The presence of pedicle srews in lumbar spine was bound with significantly better end result. Smaller lordosis, greater probability of bad result. Kyphotic thoracolumbar junction before surgery was connected with greater risk of bad result. The level of lower end of fusion was significantly important in pre-dicticting end result. Conclusions:. Own method of describing result in sagittal plane allows better assessment of sagittal balance;. There are several factors influencing end result in sagittal plane in scoliosis surgery;. The best indicator of bad sagittal result is improper alignment of thoracolumbar junction