How to Assess Femoral and Tibial Component Rotation After Total Knee Arthroplasty with Computed Tomography: a Systematic Review

Overview

Journal Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc

Publisher Wiley

Specialties Emergency Medicine
General Surgery
Orthopedics

Date 2016 Sep 23

PMID 27655141

Citations 25

Authors

Eduard J De Valk

Julia C A Noorduyn

Eduard L A R Mutsaerts

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: One of the most important factors leading to revision of total knee arthroplasties (TKA) is malrotation of femoral and/or tibial component. Rotation measurements performed on radiographs are limited and less reliable compared to 2D computed tomography (CT). Nowadays, 2D-CT and 3D-CT can be distinguished in measuring rotation of the TKA components. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the most reliable CT techniques in measuring rotation of the TKA components and to investigate possible cut-off points that can be used in the clinician's decision for a possible revision of the TKA.

Methods: A search of PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Web of Science was performed up to April 2015. Final selections of 12 articles were used in this systematic review.

Results: 3D-CT, compared to 2D-CT, is more reliable and shows a high level of intra- and interobserver reliability. Femoral component rotation is measured using the component's posterior condylar line or inner pegs in relation to the epicondylar axis. Five different techniques were used to measure tibial component rotation. The posterior border of the tibial component in relationship to the geometric centre and tibial tubercle was most frequently used.

Conclusion: This systematic review shows a strong preference for 3D-CT to determine the component's rotation following a TKA. The literature shows consensus on the reference points of the femoral component. In measurements of the tibial component, various techniques are used with similar results. No clear cut-off point for revision of malrotated TKA components can be stated because of limited evidence.

Level Of Evidence: III.

Citing Articles

Femoral Component Malrotation Following Total Knee Arthroplasty in the Presence of Hypoplasia: Is the Orthopedic Surgeon Aware?.

Pamuk C, Moralar U, Gok U Cureus. 2025; 16(12):e75488.

PMID: 39791099 PMC: 11717382. DOI: 10.7759/cureus.75488.

Radiological Approach to Assessment of Lower-Limb Alignment-Coronal and Transverse Plane Analysis.

Michalska-Foryszewska A, Modzelewski P, Sklinda K, Mruk B, Walecki J J Clin Med. 2024; 13(22).

PMID: 39598119 PMC: 11595539. DOI: 10.3390/jcm13226975.

Anteroposterior axis of the tibia for kinematic aligned total knee arthroplasty.

Toyooka S, Arai N, Masuda H, Kawano H, Nakagawa T J Exp Orthop. 2024; 11(4):e70087.

PMID: 39582765 PMC: 11582684. DOI: 10.1002/jeo2.70087.

Anatomical Reference of the Femur after Distal Resection Is Reliable for Rotational Alignment in Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Kim S, Park Y, Choi G, Lee H J Pers Med. 2024; 14(6).

PMID: 38929884 PMC: 11204464. DOI: 10.3390/jpm14060663.

Accuracy and reproducibility of two-dimensional computed tomography-based positioning of femoral component rotational alignment in preoperative planning for total knee arthroplasty.

Liu K, Liu Y, Fan Z, Fu D J Orthop Surg Res. 2023; 18(1):964.

PMID: 38098082 PMC: 10722822. DOI: 10.1186/s13018-023-04466-1.

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