A computed-tomography-scan-based template to place the femoral component in accurate rotation with respect to the surgical epicondylar axis in total knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND

Femoral rotational alignment is considered an essential factor for total knee arthroplasty because malrotation of femoral components results in poor outcomes. To obtain proper alignment, we developed a superimposable computed tomography (CT) scan-based template to intraoperatively determine the accurate surgical epicondylar axis (SEA), and evaluated the effectiveness of this CT template.

METHODS

In the experimental group (n=55), three serial slices of CT images, including medial and lateral epicondyles, were merged into a single image, and SEA was overlaid. SEA was traced onto an image of an assumed distal femoral resection level; this combined image was then printed out onto a transparent film as a CT template. Following a distal femoral resection in TKA, SEA was duplicated onto the femoral surface. Thereafter, the posterior condyle was resected parallel to this SEA. In the control group (n=53), posterior condyles were resected at three degrees of the external rotation from the posterior condylar line (PCL). A posterior condylar angle (PCA) between PCL of the femoral component and SEA was postoperatively evaluated. Positive values indicated external rotation of the femoral component from the SEA.

RESULTS

In the experimental group, PCA was 0.01°±1.61°, and three cases were considered as outliers (greater than three degrees or less than -3 degrees). Conversely, in the control group, PCA was 0.10°±2.4°, and 12 cases were considered as outliers. Consequently, dispersion of PCA data was significantly smaller in the experimental group (P=0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

The CT template accurately determined intraoperative SEA.