Aims. Accurate skeletal age and final adult height prediction methods in paediatric orthopaedics are crucial for determining optimal timing of growth-guiding interventions and minimizing complications in treatments of various conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of final adult height predictions using the central peak height (CPH) method with long leg X-rays and four different multiplier tables. Methods. This study included 31 patients who underwent temporary hemiepiphysiodesis for varus or valgus deformity of the leg between 2014 and 2020. The skeletal age at surgical intervention was evaluated using the CPH method with long leg radiographs. The true final adult height (FH. TRUE. ) was determined when the growth plates were closed. The final height prediction accuracy of four different multiplier tables (1. Bayley and Pinneau; 2. Paley et al; 3. Sanders – Greulich and Pyle (SGP); and 4. Sanders – peak height velocity (PHV)) was then compared using either skeletal age or chronological age. Results. All final adult height predictions overestimated the FH. TRUE. , with the SGP multiplier table having the lowest overestimation and lowest absolute deviation when using both chronological age and skeletal age. There were no significant differences in final height prediction accuracy between using skeletal age and chronological age with PHV (p = 0.652) or SGP multiplier tables (p = 0.969). Adult height predictions with chronological age and SGP (r = 0.769; p ≤ 0.001), as well as chronological age and PHV (r = 0.822; p ≤ 0.001), showed higher correlations with FH. TRUE. than predictions with skeletal age and SGP (r = 0.657; p ≤ 0.001) or skeletal age and PHV (r = 0.707; p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion. There was no significant improvement in adult height prediction accuracy when using the CPH method compared to chronological age alone. The study concludes that there is no advantage in routinely using the CPH method for skeletal age determination over the simple use of chronological age. The findings highlight the need for more accurate methods to predict final adult height in contemporary patient populations. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2023;4(10):750–757

We compared lower limb coronal alignment measurements obtained pre- and post-operatively with long-leg radiographs and computer navigation in patients undergoing primary total knee replacement (TKR). A series of 185 patients had their pre- and post-implant radiological and computer-navigation system measurements of coronal alignment compared using the Bland-Altman method. The study included 81 men and 104 women with a mean age of 68.5 years (32 to 87) and a mean body mass index of 31.7 kg/m² (19 to 49). Pre-implant Bland–Altman limits of agreement were -9.4° to 8.6° with a repeatability coefficient of 9.0°. The Bland–Altman plot showed a tendency for the radiological measurement to indicate a higher level of pre-operative deformity than the corresponding navigation measurement. Post-implant limits of agreement were -5.0° to 5.4° with a repeatability coefficient of 5.2°. The tendency for valgus knees to have greater deformity on the radiograph was still seen, but was weaker for varus knees.

The alignment seen or measured intra-operatively during TKR is not necessarily the same as the deformity seen on a standing long-leg radiograph either pre- or post-operatively. Further investigation into the effect of weight-bearing and surgical exposure of the joint on the mechanical femorotibial angle is required to enable the most appropriate intra-operative alignment to be selected.

Abstract. Introduction. Coronal plane alignment of the knee (CPAK) classification utilises the native arithmetic hip-knee alignment to calculate the constitutional limb alignment and joint line obliquity which is important in pre-operative planning. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy and reproducibility of measuring the lower limb constitutional alignment with the traditional long leg radiographs versus computed tomography (CT) used for pre-operative planning in robotic-arm assisted TKA. Methods. Digital long leg radiographs and pre-operative CT scan plans of 42 patients (46 knees) with osteoarthritis undergoing robotic-arm assisted total knee replacement were analysed. The constitutional alignment was established by measuring the medial proximal tibial angle (mPTA), lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA), weight bearing hip knee alignment (WBHKA), arithmetic hip knee alignment (aHKA) and joint line obliquity (JLO). Furthermore, the Coronal Plane Alignment of the Knee (CPAK) classification was utilised to classify the patients based on their coronal knee alignment phenotype. Results. Mean age of the patients was 66 years (SD 9) and mean BMI 31.2 (SD 3.9). There were 27 left and 19 right sided surgeries. The Pearson's corelation coefficient was 0.722 (p=0.008) for WBHKA; 0.729 (p<0.001) for MPTA; 0.618 (p=0.14) for aHKA; 0.502 (p= 0.04) for LDFA and 0.305 (p=0.234) for JLO. CPAK classification was concordant for 53% study participants between the two groups. Conclusion. Three-dimensional CT-based modelling with computer software more accurately predicts constitutional limb alignment and JLO as defined by the CPAK classification compared to plain long-leg radiographs in pre-operative planning of total knee arthroplasty

Introduction. There are conflicting views when assessing the best imaging modality by which to assess long leg alignment pre and post operatively for patients’ receiving primary total hip replacements. It has been a long standing standard that long-leg radiographs are used for measuring and interpreting alignment of the lower limb, but recently it has been suggested that CT imaging may be a better option for this assessment. Methods. Patients awaiting total knee replacement surgeries were invited to participate in this clinical trial. 120 participants’ consented and completed both pre and post-operative long-leg radiographs, and lower limb CT scans. Long leg radiographs were analysed and measured by senior orthopaedic surgeons pre and post-operatively, while CT scans were analysed using the perth protocol method by trained radiologists. Mechanical alignment of the lower limb was calculated using both imaging modalities, the CT “scout” scan was used for the measurement of the mechanical alignment. Pre-operatively the patients had their imaging performed between 1 year and 1 week pre-operatively, and following surgery their imaging was standardised to 6 months post-operatively. For long leg radiographs, patients were asked to stand with their feet shoulder width apart and toes forward facing (on occasion deformities would not allow for this stance, and they were asked to adopt this stance to the best of their ability). Result. The results were analysed using pearsons correlation tests, correlation was shown to be good between the mechanical alignment measurements taken from long leg radiographs, and also from CT scout scans. Preliminary results have shown that correlation between the two modalities is 0.7, displaying a good level of correlation. Interobserver and intra observer analysis of the mechanical alignment taken from long leg radiographs is shown to be excellent with preliminary correlation being 0.9. Conclusion. The correlation results show that CT scans could be using in place of long leg radiographs, and this could assist in measuring the alignment of patients with deformities rendering them unable to stand. Radiation dose has been a main focus of many papers reviewing this correlation previously, but as the mechanical alignment does not require an investigational CT scan to be performed, but only a scout CT scan, the radiation dose is quite comparable to that of a long leg radiograph. CT scan have the additional ability of being able to place the whole image of the leg onto one screen, whereas x-ray of the entire leg required the merging of three different cassettes. This leads to additional human error with the aligning of these cassettes by the radiographer prior to taking the image, and following exposure. CT scans should be considered for measuring the alignment of the lower limb prior to and after total knee replacement

Aims. An algorithm to determine the constitutional alignment of the lower limb once arthritic deformity has occurred would be of value when undertaking kinematically aligned total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to determine if the arithmetic hip-knee-ankle angle (aHKA) algorithm could estimate the constitutional alignment of the lower limb following development of significant arthritis. Methods. A matched-pairs radiological study was undertaken comparing the aHKA of an osteoarthritic knee (aHKA-OA) with the mechanical HKA of the contralateral normal knee (mHKA-N). Patients with Grade 3 or 4 Kellgren-Lawrence tibiofemoral osteoarthritis in an arthritic knee undergoing TKA and Grade 0 or 1 osteoarthritis in the contralateral normal knee were included. The aHKA algorithm subtracts the lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) from the medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA) measured on standing long leg radiographs. The primary outcome was the mean of the paired differences in the aHKA-OA and mHKA-N. Secondary outcomes included comparison of sex-based differences and capacity of the aHKA to determine the constitutional alignment based on degree of deformity. Results. A total of 51 radiographs met the inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference between aHKA-OA and mHKA-N, with a mean angular difference of −0.4° (95% SE −0.8° to 0.1°; p = 0.16). There was no significant sex-based difference when comparing aHKA-OA and mHKA-N (mean difference 0.8°; p = 0.11). Knees with deformities of more than 8° had a greater mean difference between aHKA-OA and mHKA-N (1.3°) than those with lesser deformities (-0.1°; p = 0.009). Conclusion. This study supports the arithmetic HKA algorithm for prediction of the constitutional alignment once arthritis has developed. The algorithm has similar accuracy between sexes and greater accuracy with lesser degrees of deformity. Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;1-7:339–345

Short leg radiographs remain the standard radiographs available in many UK hospitals. The aim of this study was to see if these radiographs are reliable when assessing the post-operative alignment of total knee arthroplasty in comparison to a Hip-Knee-Ankle (long leg) radiograph. Twenty consecutive 6 week post-operative long leg radiographs, taken with a standardised protocol, and a short leg radiograph derived from the same digital image were each examined on two separate occasions by two observers. On the long leg radiograph the anatomical and mechanical axis were calculated and on the short leg radiograph the anatomical and surrogate mechanical axis were calculated. These data were used to investigate intra- and inter-observer error. A single observer also collected the same measurements on an additional 30 radiographs (total of 50) to further investigate any patterns of error. On long leg radiographs, intra-observer agreement was good for both anatomical and mechanical axis for both observers (Intraclass Correlation Coefficients [ICC] of 0.95 to 0.98). The anatomical axis on short leg radiographs was also good (ICC = 0.92 and 0.76). Intra-observer agreement for the short leg radiograph derived mechanical axis was not as consistent (ICC = 0.73 and 0.56). Inter-observer variability was good for long leg radiographs for both anatomical (ICC = 0.89) and mechanical (ICC = 0.95) axis. On short leg radiographs, however, agreement was not as good, in particular for the mechanical axis (ICC = 0.51), but also the anatomical (ICC = 0.73). Taking the long leg radiograph values as the “gold standard” there was a difference in the magnitude of errors seen on short leg radiographs dependant on the knee alignment. Varus aligned knees (n=24) had an average error of 1.2° (0° to 3°) for the anatomical axis and 1.6° (0° to 4°) for the mechanical axis. Perfectly aligned knees (n=8) had an average error of 3.0° (1° to 6°) for the anatomical axis and 2.9° (1° to 5°) for the mechanical axis. Valgus aligned knees (n=18) had an average error of 3.4° (0° to 8°) for the anatomical axis and 5.8° (2° to11°) for the mechanical axis. Using a Mann-Whitney test the magnitude of error was greater for valgus knees for both anatomical (p< 0.0001) and mechanical (p< 0.00001) axes when compare to varus knees. Interestingly all except one knee measured on the long leg radiograph as valgus aligned appeared to be in varus on the short leg radiograph. In conclusion, short leg radiographs are inadequate to make any comment on leg alignment in total knee arthroplasty. This is most pronounced in a valgus aligned knee

It is generally accepted that Hip-Knee-Ankle (long-leg) radiographs are a good measurement tool for biomechanical axis of the knee and they have been used as the outcome measure for many studies. Most of the surgeons recommend having pre operative and post operative long leg radiographs for total knee replacement surgery, although practice is not as common. We studied the biomechanical axis on long-leg films and compared it with computer navigation. The objectives were to find out repeatability of measurements of biomechanical axis with inter observer readings on long leg radiographs and to compare biomechanical axis measurements with Navigation values obtained during total knee replacement surgery. Our institution routinely uses long-leg radiographs for total knee replacement (TKR) surgery both pre- and post-operatively. A series of 209 patients who had navigated TKR between Jan 2007 and 2008 were selected. Stryker and Orthopilot systems for navigation were used. The intra-operative biomechanical axis measurements from the computer navigation files both pre-and post- implant were recorded. The long leg films were measured with a defined protocol from the digital images on PACS system. Centre of the head of femur was taken as the upper point. For the knee centre the midpoint of a line joining the distal femoral notch centre and upper tibia was used. For the ankle centre midpoint of the upper talar margin was used. An angle between the three points represented the radiological biomechanical axis. To investigate inter-observer error, two observers measured the pre- and post-operative biomechanical axis on long leg radiographs independently on 57 patients. For the inter-observer measurements on 57 patients, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.99 for pre-operative radiographs and 0.98 for post-operative radiographs. Maximum difference between the two observers was 2° in four cases. All other cases showed the same readings or 1° difference. There was a strong correlation, which was statistically significant, between the pre-operative radiographic and navigated measurements with Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.810 (p< 0.001). The maximum difference between the radiographic and navigated measurement was 24 degrees. The relationship between the postoperative measurements was weaker but statistically significant with Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.323 (p< 0.001). The maximum difference between the two methods of measurement was larger 15.5. It can be concluded from this study that biomechanical axis on a long leg radiograph is a repeatable measure with good inter-observer correlation. Although it is statistically significantly correlated with navigated readings, the absolute values may be different with both the methods. This raises the question on the reliability of long leg radiographs for the prediction of true biomechanical axis. Most of the larger value differences had a fixed flexion deformities (9 – 45 degrees). This can affect the readings on the long leg radiographs and make the deformity look either smaller or bigger. Also as our knee kinematic study has proven that the deformity does not remain the same in flexion as it was in extended knee that could also account for the difference in the readings. Other reasons for difference in the pre operative readings could be weight bearing status and surgical opening of the joint before taking the pre operative biomechanical axis measurements. Difference in the post operative readings could be attributed to weight bearing status, time length between navigation and radiographic measurements (6–12 wks), scarring of the soft tissues in the time and flexed posture of knee in the early post operative period

It is generally accepted that Hip-Knee-Ankle (long-leg) radiographs are a good measurement tool for biomechanical axis of the knee and they have been used as the outcome measure for many studies. Most of the surgeons recommend having pre operative and post operative long leg radiographs for total knee replacement surgery, although practice is not as common. We studied the biomechanical axis on long-leg films and compared it with computer navigation. The aims were. To find out repeatability of measurements of biomechanical axis with inter observer readings on long leg radiographs. To compare X-ray biomechanical axis measurements with Navigation values obtained during total knee replacement surgery. Our institution routinely uses long-leg radiographs for total knee replacement (TKR) surgery both pre- and postoperatively. A series of 209 patients who had navigated TKR between Jan 2007 and 2008 were selected. Stryker and Orthopilot systems for navigation were used. The intra-operative biomechanical axis measurements from the computer navigation files both pre-and post- implant were recorded. The long leg films were measured with a defined protocol from the digital images on PACS system. Centre of the head of femur was taken as the upper point. For the knee centre the midpoint of a line joining the distal femoral notch centre and upper tibia was used. For the ankle centre midpoint of the upper talar margin was used. An angle between the three points represented the radiological biomechanical axis. To investigate inter-observer error, two observers measured the pre- and postoperative biomechanical axis on long leg radiographs independently on 57 patients. For the inter-observer measurements on 57 patients, the intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.99 for pre-operative radiographs and 0.98 for post-operative radiographs. Maximum difference between the two observers was 2° in four cases. All other cases showed the same readings or 1° difference. There was a strong correlation, which was statistically significant, between the pre-operative radiographic and navigated measurements with Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.810 (p< 0.001). The maximum difference between the radiographic and navigated measurement was 24 degrees. The relationship between the post-operative measurements was weaker but statistically significant with Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.323 (p< 0.001). The maximum difference between the two methods of measurement was larger 15.5. It can be concluded from this study that biomechanical axis on a long leg radiograph is a repeatable measure with good inter-observer correlation. Although it is statistically significantly correlated with navigated readings, the absolute values may be different with each method. This raises the question of the reliability of long leg radiographs for the prediction of true biomechanical axis. Most of the larger value differences had a fixed flexion deformities (9 – 45 degrees). This can affect the readings on the long leg radiographs and make the deformity look either smaller or bigger. Also, our knee kinematic study has proven that the deformity does not remain the same in flexion and in the extended knee. This could also account for the difference in the readings. Other possible reasons for differences in the pre operative readings: the weight bearing status and the surgical opening of the joint, before taking the pre operative biomechanical axis measurements. Differences in the post operative readings could be attributed to: weight bearing status, time length between navigation and radiographic measurements (6–12 wks), scarring of the soft tissues in the meantime and flexed posture of knee in the early post operative period

Inter- and intra-observer variation has been noted in the analysis of radiographic examinations with regard to experience of surgeons, and the monitors used for conducting the evaluations. The aim of this study is to evaluate inter/intra observer variation in the measurement of mechanical alignment from long-leg radiographs. 40 patients from the elective waiting list for TKA underwent long leg radiographs pre-operatively and 6 months post-operatively (total of 80 radiographs). The x-rays were analysed by 5 observers ranging in experience from medical student to head orthopaedic surgeon. Two observers re-analysed their results 6 months later to determine intraobserver correlation, and one observer re-measured the alignment on a different monitor. These measurements were all conducted blindly and none of the observers had access to the others’ results. 80 radiographs were analysed in total, 40 pre-op and 40 post-op. The mechanical alignment was analysed using Pearson's correlation (r = 0 no agreement, r = 1 perfect agreement) and revealed that experience as an orthopaedic surgeon has little effect on the measurement of mechanical alignment from long leg radiograph. The results for the different monitor analysis were also analysed using Pearson's correlation of long leg alignment. Monitor quality does seem to affect the correlation between alignment measurements when reviewing both intra and inter observer correlation on different computer monitors. Surgical experience has little impact on the measurement of alignment on long leg radiographs. Of greater concern is that monitors of different resolution can affect measurement of mechanical alignment. As there might be a range of monitors in use in different institutions, and also in outpatient clinics to surgical theatres, close attention should be paid to the implications of these results

The June 2013 Knee Roundup. 360 . looks at: iodine washout: chondrotoxic or antiseptic?; stem tip pain following revision knee replacements; metalwork removal prior to TKR; astroturf and ACL rupture; Robert Jones dressings; if thicker gloves safer; and the long leg radiograph: is it still the gold standard?

Introduction: Restoring normal mechanical axis is one of the key goals of the total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The majority of the surgeons resect the tibia perpendicular to its axis in the coronal plane, then use an intra-medullary jig inserted through the centre of the knee or slightly medial to centre of the knee to resect the distal femur at a 6 or 7degree valgus angle. The aim was to establish the safety of using a predetermined valgus angle (VA) and entry point (EP) in the primary TKA. We also studied the relationship between the VA and EP to the height, weight and BMI of the patient. Materials and Methods: We studied 125 long leg radiographs of 125 patients who underwent TKA under the care of senior author. All the radiographs were taken in the preoperative clinic with knee in full extension and patella facing forward. The radiographs were used to measure the valgus angle and entry point of the femur. The patients with VA between 6–7 degrees and EP at the centre were defined as normal group and rest were defined as outliers. Results: The VA ranged from 4 to 9.5 degrees (with a mean of 6.8 and SD 1.11). Only 66 (53%) knees had the VA between 6 and 7 degrees. The EP ranged from 30mm medial to 18mm lateral to the centre of the knee with a mean of 7.7mm medial to the centre of the knee (SD 6.1). The EP was at the centre of the knee in 31 (24.8%) knees and lateral to the centre in 19 (15.2%) knees. Only 14 (11.2%) knees were in the normal group. Overall there was no significant relationship between the EP and VA to the height, weight or BMI of the patient at p-value > 0.001. Conclusions: The resection of distal femur using the predetermined valgus angle, the predetermined entry point is not a safe practice in TKA. The long leg radiographs of the knee should be studied to identify the outliers. In future computer-assisted surgery and digitalisation of the images may obviate the need for this. However, it may be prudent though to use pre-operative templating of long leg radiographs during the learning curve of computer assisted surgery as well

In the vast majority of patients, the anatomical and mechanical axes of the tibia in the coronal plane are widely accepted to be equivalent. This philosophy guides the design and placement of orthopaedic implants within the tibia and in both the knee and ankle joints. However, the presence of coronal tibial bowing may result in a difference between these two axes and hence cause suboptimal placement of implanted prostheses. Although the prevalence of tibial bowing in adults has been reported in Asian populations, to date no exploration of this phenomenon in a Western population has been conducted. The aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of coronal tibial bowing in a Western population. This was an observational retrospective cohort study using anteroposterior long leg radiographs collected prior to total knee arthroplasty in our high volume arthroplasty unit. Radiographs were reviewed using a Picture Archiving and Communication System. Using a technique previously described in the literature for assessment of tibial bowing, two lines were drawn, each one third of the length of the tibia. The first line was drawn between the tibial spines and the centre of the proximal third of the tibial medullary canal. The second was drawn from the midpoint of the talar dome to the centre of the distal third of the tibial medullary canal. The angle subtended by these two lines was used to determine the presence of bowing. Bowing was deemed significant if more than two degrees. The position of the apex of the bow determined whether it was medial or lateral. Measurements were conducted by a single observer and 10% of measurements were repeated by the same observer and also by two separate observers to allow calculation of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). A total of 975 radiographs consecutively performed in the calendar years 2015–16 were reviewed, 485 of the left leg and 490 of the right. In total 399 (40.9%) tibiae were deemed to have bowing more than two degrees. 232 (23.8%) tibiae were bowed medially and 167 (17.1%) were bowed laterally. The mean bowing angle was 3.51° (s.d. 1.24°) medially and 3.52° (s.d. 1.33°) laterally. Twenty-three patients in each group (9.9% medial/13.7% lateral) were bowed more than five degrees. The distribution of bowing angles followed a normal distribution, with the maximal angle observed 10.45° medially and 9.74° laterally. An intraobserver ICC of 0.97 and a mean interobserver ICC of 0.77 were calculated, indicating excellent reliability. This is the first study reporting the prevalence of tibial bowing in a Western population. In a significant proportion of our sample, there was divergence between the anatomical and mechanical axes of the tibia. This finding has implications for both the design and implantation of orthopaedic prostheses, particularly in total knee arthroplasty. Further research is necessary to investigate whether prosthetic implantation based on the mechanical axis in bowed tibias results in suboptimal implant placement and adverse clinical outcomes

Aims. The aim of this study was to examine whether hips with unilateral osteoarthritis (OA) secondary to developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) have significant asymmetry in femoral length, and to determine potential related factors. Patients and Methods. We enrolled 90 patients (82 female, eight male) with DDH showing unilateral OA changes, and 43 healthy volunteers (26 female, 17 male) as controls. The mean age was 61.8 years (39 to 93) for the DDH groups, and 71.2 years (57 to 84) for the control group. Using a CT-based coordinate measurement system, we evaluated the following vertical distances: top of the greater trochanter to the knee centre (femoral length GT), most medial prominence of the lesser trochanter to the knee centre (femoral length LT), and top of the greater trochanter to the medial prominence of the lesser trochanter (intertrochanteric distance), along with assessments of femoral neck anteversion and neck shaft angle. Results. The percentages of hips with an absolute difference of > 5 mm in femoral GT and LT lengths were significantly larger in the DDH group (24% for both) compared with those of the control group (2% and 7%, respectively). The femoral length GT of the affected femur was significantly shorter in Crowe I and longer in Crowe IV than that of the unaffected side. The affected-to-unaffected difference of the intertrochanteric distance showed positive correlation with that of the femoral length GT in Crowe I and Crowe II/III, and negative correlation with that of the femoral length LT in the Crowe I and Crowe IV groups. Conclusion. Hips with unilateral end-stage OA secondary to DDH show significant asymmetry in femoral length between both the greater and lesser trochanter and the knee compared with controls. The intertrochanteric distance was a morphological factor related to femoral-length asymmetry. When undertaking total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the presence of DDH, long leg radiographs or CT measurements should be used to assess true leg-length discrepancy. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2019;101-B:297–302

Aims

This study examined windswept deformity (WSD) of the knee, comparing prevalence and contributing factors in healthy and osteoarthritic (OA) cohorts.

Aims. The aim of this study was to compare the post-operative radiographic and clinical outcomes between kinematically and mechanically aligned total knee arthroplasties (TKAs). . Patients and Methods. A total of 60 TKAs (30 kinematically and 30 mechanically aligned) were performed in 60 patients with varus osteoarthritis of the knee using a navigation system. The angles of orientation of the joint line in relation to the floor, the conventional and true mechanical axis (tMA) (the line from the centre of the hip to the lowest point of the calcaneus) were compared, one year post-operatively, on single-leg and double-leg standing long leg radiographs between the groups. The range of movement and 2011 Knee Society Scores were also compared between the groups at that time. Results. The angles of orientation of the joint line in the kinematic group changed from slight varus on double-leg standing to slight valgus with single-leg standing. The mechanical axes in the kinematic group passed through a neutral position of the knee in the true condition when the calcaneus was considered. The post-operative angles of flexion and functional activity scores were significantly better in the kinematic than in the mechanical group (p < 0.003 and 0.03, respectively). Conclusion. A kinematically aligned TKA results in a joint line which has a more parallel orientation in relation to the floor during single- and double-leg standing, and more neutral weight-bearing in tMA than a mechanically aligned TKA. Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2017;99-B:640–6

We sought to assess the precision of our surgical techniques for total knee replacement in achieving the preoperative plan generated by a combination of MRI scan and long leg radiographs. For each patient in the study, we used the Visionaire system by Smith Nephew to generate a preoperative plan and custom patient instrumentation according to our usual protocols. We then performed on three patients a total knee replacement using three different techniques:. Total knee replacement with standard instrumentation. Total knee replacement with Stryker Computer Navigation. Total knee replacement with Custom Patient Instrumentation by Smith Nephew. During surgery we compared the actual bone cuts performed to the cuts predicted by the Visionaire preoperative plan, component sizing, and postoperatively analyzed the alignment achieved for the total knee replacement. In each case the size used matched the size predicted in our preoperative plan, our bone cuts averaged within 0.5mm of target, and restoration of neutral mechanical alignment of the lower extremity was achieved. We observed that careful preoperative planning improved our surgical outcomes and regardless of instrumentation used a high level of precision could be achieved

Background. Temporary hemiepiphysiodesis using 8 plate guided growth has gained widespread acceptance for the treatment of paediatric angular deformities. This study aims to look at outcomes of coronal lower limb deformities corrected using temporary hemiepiphysiodesis over an extended period of follow up. Methods. A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 56 children (92 legs) with coronal plane deformities around the knee which were treated with an extraperiosteal 2 holed titanium plate and screws between 2007 and 2015. Pre and post-op long leg radiographs and clinic letters were reviewed. Results. The mean age was 11.9 years (range 3 to 16) with a mean angular deformity of 12.3 degrees (5.1 to 33.5). The mean rate of correction was 0.8 degrees per month. Isolated distal femur correction occurred at a mean rate of 0.6 degrees per month (0.2 to 1.4) and isolated tibia at a rate of 0.5 degrees per month (0.0 to 1.7). Children treated with concurrent treatment of both femur and tibia corrected at a rate of 1.4 degrees per month (0.1 to 2.7). Similar rates of correction occur in children aged 10 and over compared to those younger than 10 (0.8 degrees per month compared to 0.7). We also saw similar rates of correction with extended follow up. The average rate of correction over the first 9 months post op was 0.8 degrees compared to 0.6 degrees over the following 10 months. Conclusion. This study is the largest long term follow up of 8 plate hemiepiphysiodesis which highlights the rate of correction in all age groups. Implications. With this knowledge surgeons can make a more informed decision regarding placement of hemiepiphysiodesis plates and length of time required for correction of angular deformities. It may also lead to consideration of alternative, more powerful techniques if the rate of correction is insufficient. Conflict of Interest: None declared

This study aims to evaluate the development of deformity in patients with hypophosphataemic rickets and the evolution of the orthopaedic management thereof. Fifty-four patients had undergone treatment for hypophosphataemic rickets at our institution since 1995. Clinical records for all patients were obtained. Forty-one patients had long leg radiographs available that were analysed using Traumacad™ software. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, USA). Of the 41 patients, 18 (43%) had no radiographic deformity. 20 have undergone bilateral lower limb surgery for persistent deformity (Mechanical Axis ≥ Zone 2). A further 3 patients are awaiting surgery. Six patients (12 limbs, 14 segments) had osteotomies and internal fixation as primary intervention: only one limb developed recurrent deformity. There were no major complications. Fourteen patients (28 limbs) had 8-plates (Orthofix, Verona) applied. In 5 limbs correction is on-going. Neutral alignment (central Zone 1) was achieved in 14/20 (70%) patients. Two patients required osteotomy and external fixation for resistant deformity. The mean rate of angular correction following 8-plate application was 0.3 and 0.7 degrees/month for the tibia and femur respectively. The mean age at 8-plate insertion was 10.25y (5–15y). Patients with more than 3 years of growth remaining responded significantly better than older patients (Fisher Exact Test, p=0.024). Guided growth was more successful in correcting valgus deformity than varus deformity (Fisher Exact Test, p=0.04). In the younger patients, diaphyseal deformity corrected as the mechanical axis improved at the rate of 0.2 and 0.7 degrees /month for the tibial and femoral shafts. Serum phosphate and alkaline phosphatase levels did not affect response to surgery or complication rate. Guided growth by means of 8-plates is a successful in addressing deformity in hypophosphataemic rickets. Surgery is best performed in patients with more than 3 years of growth remaining

Introduction. Restoration of a neutral mechanical axis has been a widely held tenet of primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA), however new technologies are recently being marketed which claim correction of alignment deformity is unimportant. This study was undertaken to determine whether the outcome of aseptic loosening was associated with post-operative mal-alignment of the mechanical axis. Methods. A 1:9 matched case-control analysis was conducted within a cohort of 1,030 consecutive cemented posterior stabilized TKAs with 7 to 11.5 yrs follow-up (average 9 yrs). Aseptic loosening had occurred in 10 knees (1.0%). Nine controls were randomly selected for each case within matching criteria for age and minimum time in situ. Post-operative mechanical alignment was determined using retrieved long leg radiographs. Age-adjusted relative risk was estimated using conditional logistic regression. Results. Radiographs revealed 8 of the 10 loosened cases had been placed in 3 or more degrees varus mechanical alignment (range, 2? varus to 7? varus), compared to only 4 of the 90 age-matched controls (range, 4? valgus to 4? varus). A single degree change of mechanical alignment in the varus direction was associated with a more than 4-fold increase of risk of loosening (odds ratio 4.6, 95% confidence interval 1.7–12.7; p=0.0035). The relative risk for mechanical alignment >= 3? varus compared to <= 2? varus (dichotomous) was 69.2 (95% confidence interval 8.1–589; p=.0001). BMI, gender, and pre-op deformity were not significant. Discussion. These results suggest that avoidance of varus postoperative alignment is an extremely important determinant of TKA fixation durability

Aims

While mechanical alignment (MA) is the traditional technique in total knee arthroplasty (TKA), its potential for altering constitutional alignment remains poorly understood. This study aimed to quantify unintentional changes to constitutional coronal alignment and joint line obliquity (JLO) resulting from MA.