The effect of valgus and varus femoral osteotomies on measures of anteversion in the dog.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether femoral osteotomies that change frontal plane alignment without affecting torsion influence anteversion and inclination.

METHODS

Femurs without deformity were scanned to create three-dimensional reconstructions. The femoral head-neck axis was identified by placement of a virtual intramedullary pin. A proximal osteotomy was simulated to create three conditions while keeping torsion constant: Normal, Coxa Valga (neck-shaft angle increased by 12°), and Coxa Vara (neck-shaft angle decreased by 12°). Femoral anteversion was measured from an axial image in all three conditions. Femoral inclination was calculated for all conditions using the neck-shaft and anteversion angles. Changes in anteversion and inclination were calculated and compared using a one-way repeated measures analysis of variance. Distal femoral osteotomies were then simulated with the native femurs, inducing 18° of distal varus with no change to torsion. Changes in anteversion and inclination for the Normal and Distal Varus conditions were calculated and compared by a paired t-test.

RESULTS

Version changed by a mean of 13.9° (± 1.5; p <0.0001) from the Coxa Valga to Coxa Vara conditions while inclination changed by a mean of 1.3° (± 0.39; p <0.01). Version changed by a mean of 6.6° (± 0.7; p <0.0001) between the Distal Varus and Normal conditions while inclination changed by a mean of -3.8° (± 0.75; p <0.001).

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Femoral version changes with changing frontal plane alignment even when torsion is constant. This should be considered when correcting femoral deformities.