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Radiographic measurement of the posterior femoral offset is not precise

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

The posterior femoral offset may significantly impact the final flexion range after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of the present study was to compare a conventional, radiologic-based technique with an intra-operative, surgical navigation-based technique for the measurement of posterior femoral offset. The tested hypothesis was that the two measurement techniques produce different results both before and after TKA.

Methods

One-hundred consecutive cases referred for end-stage knee osteoarthritis have been studied. Posterior femoral offsets, measured pre- and post-TKA from radiographs, as well as those measured from a navigation system intra-operatively, were analysed. The pre-TKA measured offsets, post-TKA measured offsets and the changes (pre- vs. post-TKA) in the offsets were statistically compared between the radiologic and the navigated measurement techniques at a 0.05 level of significance.

Results

The mean paired difference between pre-TKA radiologic and navigated measurement was 4 ± 4 mm (p < 0.001). There was a significant and moderate positive correlation with a good coherence between the two measurements. The mean paired difference between post-TKA radiologic and navigated measurement was 6 ± 5 mm (p < 0.001). There was a significant and moderate positive correlation but a poor coherence between the two measurements.

Conclusions

The conventional radiologic technique for the measurement of the posterior femoral offset cannot be reliably used either for pre-TKA planning of the posterior femoral resection and antero-posterior sizing of the femoral component, or for post-TKA quality control of the reconstruction of the posterior femoral offset.

Level of evidence

Level IV.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully thank Mrs Yafei DEI for having reviewed the manuscript.

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No author or related institution has received any financial benefit from research in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CCOM, University Hospital Strasbourg, 10 Avenue Baumann, 67400, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France

    Jean-Yves Jenny, Sophie Honecker & Yves Chammai

Authors
  1. Jean-Yves Jenny
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  2. Sophie Honecker
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  3. Yves Chammai
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean-Yves Jenny.

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Jenny, JY., Honecker, S. & Chammai, Y. Radiographic measurement of the posterior femoral offset is not precise. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 25, 2609–2615 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3855-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-015-3855-6

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