Introduction and Objective

The geometry of the proximal tibia and distal femur is intimately linked with the biomechanics of the knee and it is to be considered in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) component positioning. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the proximal tibial torsion in relation to the flexion-extension axis of the knee in healthy and pathological cohort affected by knee osteoarthritis (OA).

We proposed the substitute anteroposterior (sAP) line of the tibia for medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA), which connects the medial border of the patellar tendon at the articular surface level and the medial intercondylar tubercle of the tibia. However, it has not been shown that referencing this line improves the rotational alignment of the components. Therefore, in this study, we investigated whether the tibial component could be implanted perpendicular to the SEA by referencing the sAP line and whether referencing the sAP line could reduce the rotational mismatch between the femoral and the tibial components.

Postoperative computed tomography datasets from 60 lower limbs in 57 Japanese patients with medial UKA were used. Among these, 30 knees were operated using the sAP line for AP reference and other 30 knees using the medial intercondylar ridge (MIR) line. First, the angle between the AP orientation of the tibial component and the surgical epicondylar axis (SEA) was measured. Then, the rotational mismatch angle between the components was measured.

The tibial and femoral components placed referencing the sAP line were externally rotated 90.7°±3.2° and 91°±7.7° relative to the SEA, respectively, those referencing the MIR line were 94.9°±8.5° and 91.2°±7.7°, respectively. When referencing the sAP line, the orientation of the component was more perpendicular to the SEA (Student t-test, unpaired, P = .016) and rotational variability of the tibial component was significantly smaller (F test, P < 0 .0001). The rotational mismatch angle when referencing the sAP line and the MIR line was 0.3°±8.3°and −3.8°±6.7°, respectively. Referencing the sAP line significantly reduced the rotational mismatch between the components (Student t-test, unpaired, P = .045).

Referencing the sAP line in the medial UKA may be useful to determine the AP orientation of the tibial component.

Aims

The purpose of this multicentre observational study was to investigate the association between intraoperative component positioning and soft-tissue balancing on short-term clinical outcomes in patients undergoing robotic-arm assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA).

Introduction

Rotational or axial alignment is an important concept in total knee surgery. Malrotation of the femoral component can lead to patellofemoral maltracking, pain and stiffness. In reconstruction surgery of the knee, achievement of correct rotation is even more difficult because of the lack of anatomical landmarks. The linea aspera is often the only remaining landmark, but its reliability is questionable.

Aims

Patellofemoral problems are a common complication of total knee arthroplasty. A high compressive force across the patellofemoral joint may affect patient-reported outcome. However, the relationship between patient-reported outcome and the intraoperative patellofemoral contact force has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to determine whether or not a high intraoperative patellofemoral compressive force affects patient-reported outcome.

Introduction. Tibial component malrotation is associated with pain, stiffness and altered patellofemoral kinematics in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, accurately measuring tibial component rotation following TKA is difficult. Proposed protocols utilizing computed tomography (CT) are not well validated and can be time consuming. This study aimed to; 1) Validate and compare the reproducibility of the Berger (2D-CT) and Mayo (3D-CT) protocols; 2) Validate a simple, and potentially rapid screening measurement using an anatomical distance on 2D axial CT- the Centre of Tibial Tray to Tibial Tubercle (CTTT) distance. Methods. Rotational alignment of 70 TKA patients were evaluated by 3 independent observers using the Berger, and Mayo protocols, which have been previously described, and a new CTTT protocol (Figure 1). The inter and intra-rater interclass correlation coefficients (ICC's), mean difference between measurements and the mean measurement times were calculated. Linear regression analysis was performed to give a coefficient of determination (R2). Results. The intra-rater reliability for all 3 protocols was rated as “very good” (Mayo 0.96, Berger 0.85 and CTTT 0.85). The inter-rater reliability for the Mayo and the Berger method was rated as “very good” (0.87 and 0.83 respectively), the CTTT was rated as “good” (0.79). The Mayo method had a lower mean difference in intra-rater measurements than the Berger method (1.42° vs 2.60° p= <0.01). Comparing the CTTT to the Mayo method produced an R2 value of 0.73 indicating strong correlation. As a screening tool, 92% of patients with CTTT ≤ 6mm had < 9° of tibial component internal rotation (IR), and 93% of patients with a CTTT ≥ 10mm had ≥ 9° IR. The Mayo method takes 3 minutes, 29 seconds; Berger method: 2 minutes, 5 seconds; CTTT method: 39 seconds to perform. Conclusion. 3D CT is the gold standard for formally determining tibial component rotational alignment. The CTTT has the strongest correlation to the Mayo method, and is the least time consuming. The CTTT method can be used as a reliable, simple and rapid screening tool in daily clinical practice to assess tibial component rotational alignment following TKA, prior to formal measurement. For any figures or tables, please contact authors directly

Aims

The aim of this study was to report the clinical, functional and radiological outcomes of children and adolescents with tibial fractures treated using the Ilizarov method.

The “correct” rotational alignment and “normal” rotational alignment may not be the same position. Because of natural tibial plateau has average 3° varus but classical TKA method make tibial cut perpendicularly to tibial mechanical axis. Consequently femoral rotational compensation to 3° becomes necessary. While anatomical TKA method performed tibial cut in 3° varus. Then posterior femoral cut will be parallel to posterior condylar axis and component rotation theoretically should be aligned in natural anatomy. This study compares the rotational alignment between two methods. Study conducted on 80 navigated TKAs with modified gap technique. Intraoperative femoral rotation retrieved from navigation. Rotational alignment was calculated using the Berger protocol with postoperative computerised tomography scanning. The alignment parameters measured were tibial and femoral component rotations and the combined component rotations. 57 knees with PS design can be classified into 35 knees as anatomical group and 22 knees as classical group. 23 knees with CR design had 12 knees as anatomical group and 11 knees as classical group. The intraoperative femoral rotation in anatomical group had less external rotation than classical group significantly in PS design (0.77°±1.03° vs 2.86°±1.49°, p = 0.00) and also had the same results in CR design (1.33°±1.37°vs 2.64°±0.81°, p = 0.012). However, the postoperative excessive femoral and tibial component rotation compared with native value and combined rotation had no significant differences between classical and anatomical method in both implant design. Using CAS TKA with gap technique showed no difference in postoperative rotational alignment between classical and anatomical method

Objectives

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is a demanding procedure, with tibial component subsidence or pain from high tibial strain being potential causes of revision. The optimal position in terms of load transfer has not been documented for lateral UKA. Our aim was to determine the effect of tibial component position on proximal tibial strain.

Alignment of total joint replacement in the valgus knee can be done readily with intramedullary alignment and hand-held instruments. Intramedullary alignment instruments usually are used for the femoral resection. The distal femoral surfaces are resected at a valgus angle of 5 degrees. A medialised entry point is advised because the distal femur curves toward valgus in the valgus knee, and the distal surface of the medial femoral condyle is used as reference for distal femoral resection. In the valgus knee, the anteroposterior axis is especially important as a reliable landmark for rotational alignment of the femoral surface cuts because the posterior femoral condyles are in valgus malalignment, and are unreliable for alignment. Rotational alignment of the distal femoral cutting guide is adjusted to resect the anterior and posterior surfaces perpendicular to the anteroposterior axis of the femur. In the valgus knee this almost always results in much greater resection from the medial than from the lateral condyle. Intramedullary alignment instruments are used to resect the proximal tibial surface perpendicular to its long axis. Like the femoral resection, resection of the proximal tibial surface is based on the height of the intact medial bone surface. After correction of the deformity, ligament adjustment is almost always necessary in the valgus knee. Stability is assessed first in flexion by holding the knee at 90 degrees and maximally internally rotating the extremity to stress the medial side of the knee, then maximally externally rotating the extremity to evaluate the lateral side of the knee. Medial opening greater than 4mm, and lateral opening greater than 5mm, is considered abnormally lax, and a very tight lateral side that does not open at all with varus stress is considered to be abnormally tight. Stability is assessed in full extension by applying varus and valgus stress to the knees. Medial opening greater than 2mm is considered to be abnormally lax, and a very tight lateral side that does not open at all with varus stress is considered to be too tight. Release of tight structures should be done in a conservative manner. In some cases, direct release from bone attachment is best (popliteus tendon); in others, release with pie-crusting technique is safe and effective. In knees that are too tight laterally in flexion, but not in extension, the LCL is released in continuity with the periosteum and synovial attachments to the bone. When this lateral tightness is associated with internal rotational contracture, the popliteus tendon attachment to the femur is also released. The iliotibial band and lateral posterior capsule should not be released in this situation because they provide lateral stability only in extension. The only structures that provide passive stability in flexion are the LCL and the popliteus tendon complex, so knees that are tight laterally in flexion and extension have popliteus tendon or LCL release (or both). Stability is tested after adjusting tibial thickness to restore ligament tightness on the lateral side of the knee. Additional releases are done only as necessary to achieve ligament balance. Any remaining lateral ligament tightness usually occurs in the extended position only, and is addressed by releasing the iliotibial band first, then the lateral posterior capsule, if needed. The iliotibial band is approached subcutaneously and released extrasynovially, leaving its proximal and distal ends attached to the synovial membrane. In knees initially too tight laterally in extension, but not in flexion, the LCL and popliteus tendon are left intact, and the iliotibial band is released. If this does not loosen the knee enough laterally, the lateral posterior capsule is released. The LCL and popliteus tendon rarely, if ever, are released in this type of knee. Finally, the tibial component thickness is adjusted to achieve proper balance between the medial and lateral sides of the knee. Anteroposterior stability and femoral rollback are assessed, and posterior cruciate substitution is done, if necessary, to achieve acceptable posterior stability

Aims

We assessed the long-term (more than ten-year) outcomes of the Kudo type-5 elbow prosthesis in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Introduction

A femoral rotational alignment is one of the essential factors, affecting the postoperative knee balance and patellofemoral tracking in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To obtain an adequate alignment, the femoral component must be implanted parallel to the surgical epicondylar axis (SEA).

We have developed “a superimposable Computed Tomography (CT) scan-based template”, in which the SEA is drawn on a distal femoral cross section of the CT image at the assumed bone resection level, to determine the precise SEA. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of the rotational alignment of the femoral component positioned with the superimposed template in TKA.

Introduction. The Rotational alignment is an important factor for survival total knee Arthroplasty. Rotational malalignment causes knee pain, global instability, and wear of the polyethylene inlay. Also, the anterior cortex line was reported that more reliable and more easily identifiable landmark for correct tibial component alignment. The aims of the current study is to identify effect of inserting the tibial baseplate of using anterior cortex line landmark of TKA on stress/strain distributions within cortical bone and bone cement. Through the current study, final aim is to suggest an alternative position of tibia baseplate for reduction of TKA failures with surgical convenience. Materials and Method. A three-dimensional tibia FE model with TKA was generated based on a traditional TKA surgical guideline. Here, a commercialized TKA (LOSPA, Corentc, Korea) was considered corresponded to a patient specific tibia morphology. Tibia baseplate was positioned at anterior cortex line. Alternative two positions were also considered based on tibia tuberosity 1/3 line and tibia tuberosity end line known as a gold standard (Fig. 1-A). Loading and boundary conditions for the FE analysis were determined based on five activities of daily life of persons with TKA (Fig. 1-B). FE model was additionally validated comparing with an actual mechanical test. Results and Discussions. The, through comparing with strain distribution on the cortical bone measured from the actual mechanical test considering 0°, 30° 60°, 90°, 120° and 140° flexion with femoral rollback phenomenon (Fig. 2). Stress/strain on the cortical bone (medial region) of the proximal tibia for the baseplate positioned at anterior cortex line were a little better distributed than those at tibia tuberosity 1/3 line and tibia tuberosity end line although the stress/stain values were similar to each other (Fig. 3-A). Potential fracture risk of the bone cement for the baseplate positioned at anterior cortex line was lower than that at tibia tuberosity 1/3 line and tibia tuberosity end line, considering safety factor (N=3). Particularly, Potential fracture risk of the bone cement for the baseplate positioned at tibia tuberosity 1/3 line known as a gold standard was highest (over 20MPa for stair down activity) (Fig. 3-B). Conclusion. Our results suggested that anterior cortex line landmark was feasible to apply positioning method on the tibial baseplate in terms of mechanical characteristics which were compared to tibia tuberosity 1/3 line and tibia tuberosity end line known as a gold standard. This study may be valuable by suggesting for the first time an alternative baseplate position for reduction of TKA failures with surgical convenience

Background. Rotational alignment is important for the long-term success and good functional outcome of total knee arthroplasty (TKA). While the surgical transepicondylar axis (sTEA) is the generally accepted landmark on the distal femur, a precise and easily identifiable anatomical landmark on the tibia has yet to be established. Our aim was to compare five axes on the proximal tibia in normal and osteoarthritic (OA) knees to determine the best landmark for determining rotational alignment during TKA. Methods. One hundred twenty patients with OA knees and 30 without knee OA were recruited for the study. Computed tomography (CT) images were obtained and converted through multiplanar reconstruction so the angles between the sTEA and the axes of the proximal tibia could be measured. Five AP axes were chosen: the line connecting the center of the posterior cruciate ligament(PCL) and the medial border of the patellar tendon at the cutting level of the tibia (PCL-PT), the line from the PCL to the medial border of the tibial tuberosity (PCL-TT1), the line from the PCL to the border of the medial third of the tibia (PCL-TT2), the line from the PCL to the apex of the tibia (PCL-TT3), and the AP axis of the tibial prosthesis along with the anterior cortex of the proximal tibia (anterior tibial curved cortex, ATCC). Results. In OA knees, the mean angles were less than those in normal knees for all 5 axes tested. In normal knees, the angle of the ATCC axis had the smallest mean value (1.6° ± 2.8°) and the narrowest range. In OA knees, the angle of the PCL-TT1 axis had the smallest mean value (0.3° ± 5.5°); however, the standard deviation (SD) and range were wider than that of the angle of the ATCC axis. The mean angle of the ATCC axis was larger (0.8° ± 2.7°) than the angle of the PCL-TT1 axis, but the difference was not statistically significant (P =0.461). The angle of the ATCC axis had the smallest SD and the narrowest range. Conclusion. In OA knees, the AP axis of the proximal tibia showed greater internal rotation compared with normal knees. In our study, the ATCC was found to be the most reliable and useful anatomical landmark for tibial rotational alignment in TKA

Three distal femoral axes have been described to aid in alignment of the femoral component; the Trans Epicondylar Axis (TEA), the Posterior Condylar Axis (PCA) and the Antero Posterior (AP) axis. Our aim was to identify if there was a reproducible relationship between the axes which would aid alignment of the femoral component. This is the first study compare all three distal femoral axes with each other using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in a Caucasian population. Our sample group represents real life patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA), as opposed non-arthritic or cadaveric knees.

We identified the relationship between these rotational axes by performing MRI scans on 89 patients awaiting TKA with patient-specific instrumentation. Measurements were taken by two observers.

Patients had a mean age of 62.5 years (range 32–91). 51 patients were female. The mean angle between the TEA and the AP axis was 92.78° with a standard deviation of 2.51° (range 88° – 99°). The mean angle between the AP axis and the PCA was 95.43° with a standard deviation of 2.75° (range 85° – 105°). The mean angle between the TEA and the PCA was 2.78° with a standard deviation of 1.91° (range 0° – 10°).

We conclude that while there is a reproducible relationship between the differing femoral axes, there is a significant range in the relationship between the femoral axes. This range may lead to greater inaccuracy than has previously been appreciated when defining the rotation of the femoral component. There is most variation between the PCA and the AP axis. The TEA's relationship with the PCA and AP appears important in defining rotation. Due to the well accepted difficulty in defining the TEA intra-operatively, there may be a role for patient-specific instrumentation in TKA surgery with pre-operative MRI.

Purpose

To investigate the tibiofemoral rotational profiles during surgery in navigated posterior-stabilized (PS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and investigated the effect on postoperative maximum flexion angles.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the angles made by the reference axes on the computerized tomography (CT) images and comparison of the knee alignment between healthy young adults and patients who is scheduled to have total knee arthroplasty.

Objective

Rotational malalignment of the femoral component still causes patellofemoral complications that result in failures in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To achieve correct rotational alignment, a couple of anatomical landmarks have been proposed. Theoretically, transepicondylar axis has been demonstrated as a reliable rotational reference line, however, intraoperative identification of the transepicondylar axis is challenging in some cases. Therefore, surgeons usually estimate the transepicondylar axis from posterior condylar axis (PCA) using twist angle determined by the preoperative X-rays and CT. While PCA is the most apparent landmark, radiographs are not able to detect posterior condylar cartilage. In most osteoarthritic knees, the cartilage thickness of the posterior condyle is different between medial and lateral condyles. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of the posterior condylar cartilage on rotational alignment of the femoral component in large number of arthritic patients. Furthermore, we investigated whether the effect of posterior condylar cartilage is different between osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Introduction. Current pre-clinical testing is performed using knee wear simulators with standardized walking profiles. Differences in generated damage patterns to those observed on retrieved liners have been explained with the absence of activities other than walking, less severe loading conditions, and a discrepancy in the simulator's tibiofemoral contact mechanics and in vivo knee excursion. While it has been recognized that rotational alignment of the knee may also drive the location and shape of wear scars, to the best of our knowledge this parameter has not been investigated in knee simulator studies. Methods. Here, we use patient specific gait as input to the simulation to approximate the patient specific contact mechanics. Kinematic and kinetic input data was obtained from gait analysis of a patient with a MGII (Zimmer Inc.) prosthesis at 11 years post-op using the point cluster technique for tibiofemoral kinematics, and a mathematical model for internal force calculations. Using the identical type of prosthesis on the simulator, wear tests were conducted in displacement mode on a closed-loop controlled station. Because x-rays of the patient suggested an internal rotation of the tibial tray, it was varied form 0–10° and the effect on location and wear scar dimension was assessed. Results were compared with the retrieved liner (obtained after 13 years in vivo). Results. The simulator inputs generated from the gait data were compared with ISO 14243–3 (Figure 1). The first contact force peak of the patient was significantly lower, while second contact force peak similar to ISO. There were minimal differences in the flexion/extension profiles. For stance phase, the anterior/posterior translation and internal/external rotation kinematics did not show similar patterns, but they did fall within similar ranges from zero. There was little similarity for the swing phase. The total wear scar area of the retrieval was measured to be 919.8 mm. 2. The average total wear scar of the tested components was 853.0 ± 59.8 mm. 2. (p= 26.28%) The outcome values of the tested components compared to the retrieval are shown in Figure 2. All offsets produced a smaller wear scar than the retrieval, but the 7° offset produced the closest area which was within 1 mm. 2. of the retrieval. The 7° offset also had the closed centroid offset angle, which was within 0.2° of the retrieval (Figure 3). On the retrieval, a small wear scar was observed on the anterior- medial aspect of the intracondylar eminence (not shown). Among the tested components, the 7° and 10° offsets recreated damage at this location. Discussion. Rotational alignment affected the wear scar size by as much as 15% in this study. Only, the 7° offset produced outcome values very similar to the retrieval, highlighting the importance of rotational mismatch for wear. It should be noted that ± 10° of rotational mismatch is clinically well tolerated [5] and therefore may occur frequently. All tested components had smaller wear scar areas than the retrieved liner. This suggests that other activities other than walking may have contributed to wear in vivo

Introduction. 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. Materials and Methods. 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). Results. All femoral and tibial components were implanted within 5°in coronal and sagittal plane. All knees showed mechanical alignment within 5 degree from neutral. One of 10 TKAs needed femoral component size down, and two of 20 stems needed size change