Jean-Yves Jenny1, Cyril Boeri. 1. Centre de Traumatologie et d'Orthopédie, 10 avenue Baumann, FR-67400 Illkirch, France. jean-yves.jenny@evc.net
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The transepicondylar axis is often used for positioning of the femoral component in knee replacement. METHODS: We studied the reproducibility of the intra-operative palpation of the transepicondylar axis for rotational alignment of the femoral component in 20 total knee replacement (TKR) implantations with a non-image-based navigation system. 2 surgeons defined the transepicondylar axis 3 times each without changing the reference plane. RESULTS: The angle between the reference plane and the transepicondylar axis was measured by the navigation system. The mean intra-observer ranges of variation were 5 degrees and 6 degrees for both surgeons, with a maximum of 15 degrees. The mean inter-observer range of variation was 9 degrees, with a maximum of 15 degrees. Variations occurred in either internal or external rotation. Intra-observer agreement was considered good for one surgeon and poor for the other. There was no agreement between the two observers. INTERPRETATION: To define the rotational alignment of the femoral component of a TKR according to the intra-operative palpation of the transepicondylar axis may not be as reproducible as expected. However, the exact effect of this variability on the outcome after TKR should be studied.
BACKGROUND: The transepicondylar axis is often used for positioning of the femoral component in knee replacement. METHODS: We studied the reproducibility of the intra-operative palpation of the transepicondylar axis for rotational alignment of the femoral component in 20 total knee replacement (TKR) implantations with a non-image-based navigation system. 2 surgeons defined the transepicondylar axis 3 times each without changing the reference plane. RESULTS: The angle between the reference plane and the transepicondylar axis was measured by the navigation system. The mean intra-observer ranges of variation were 5 degrees and 6 degrees for both surgeons, with a maximum of 15 degrees. The mean inter-observer range of variation was 9 degrees, with a maximum of 15 degrees. Variations occurred in either internal or external rotation. Intra-observer agreement was considered good for one surgeon and poor for the other. There was no agreement between the two observers. INTERPRETATION: To define the rotational alignment of the femoral component of a TKR according to the intra-operative palpation of the transepicondylar axis may not be as reproducible as expected. However, the exact effect of this variability on the outcome after TKR should be studied.
Authors: Daniel Hernandez-Vaquero; Alfonso Noriega-Fernandez; Jose Manuel Fernandez-Carreira; Jose Manuel Fernandez-Simon; Jimena Llorens de los Rios Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2014-08-26 Impact factor: 4.342
Authors: Paweł Skowronek; Markus Arnold; Christian Starke; Agnieszka Bartyzel; Lukas B Moser; Michael T Hirschmann Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2020-04-30 Impact factor: 4.342
Authors: F Zambianchi; T Luyckx; J Victor; V Digennaro; A Giorgini; F Catani Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2014-05-10 Impact factor: 4.342