Anatomical characteristics of axial lines and angles of rotational alignment of the femur during prosthetic installation

Zhao Zhi-jiang; Xu Hong-sheng; Meng Wei-ming; Zhang Xiao-wei; Zhang Lei

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.2014.17.002

Abstract：BACKGROUND:Good rotational location for femoral prosthesis is a key in total knee replacement, which is strongly associated with joint function after replacement. Each anatomical parameter of femoral condyle is also very important. To familiar with each data can do reasonably ostectomy and select axis, can avoid poor location of prosthesis-induced joint dysfunction after total knee replacement. <br> OBJECTIVE:To observe the anatomical structure of femoral condyle specimens, and measure the angle between anatomical parameter and the axis. <br> METHODS:A total of 40 femoral bone specimens were fixed on the frame. Morphological changes in the medial epicondyle and the lateral epicondyle were observed. Femoral condyle parameters, including length and width, were measured. Kirschner wire was used between the medial epicondyle and the lateral epicondyle using a targeting device. After ostectomy, four axial lines were measured with a conimeter, including surgical epicondylar axis, clinical epicondylar axis, posterior condylar line and anterior-posterior axis. <br> RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The depression of medial epicondyle appeared relatively low, accounting for 25%of the total number of al specimens;the height of the femoral condyle did not have significant difference compared with westerners, but width was smal er compared with westerners. Thus, the surgeons should be ful y aware of the width of femoral condyle in operative procedures. The appearance of depression of medial epicondyle was not frequent, so posterior condylar angle of epicondylar axis was only fit for some persons. <br> However, anterior-posterior axis was easily to be located. The angle between two axes and posterior condylar line was stable, and variability was smal . Thus, the anterior-posterior axis can be used as a reliable label for rotational position of femoral prosthesis.