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Anthropometric difference of the knee on MRI according to gender and age groups

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the anthropometric data from MRI images that were obtained from the non-arthritic knees in Asian adults, and to identify the existence of morphologic differences between age groups. This cross-sectional study included knee MR images of 535 patients (273 males, 262 females) taken for the evaluation of soft-tissue injuries, excluding cases with cartilage defect and malalignment. The age, gender, height, and BMI were also assessed. The patients were grouped into three different 20-year age groups (20–39, 40–59, and 60–79). The MRI analysis was performed on the anthropometric parameters of distal femur and posterior tibial slope. Age-related differences were found in femoral width, distance from the distal and posterior cartilage surface to the medial/lateral epicondyle, medial posterior condylar offset (PCO), and posterior condylar angle (PCA) (all P < 0.001), but not in lateral PCO, and medial/lateral tibial slopes. In the analysis of covariance analyses, significant interaction between gender and age groups was found in most parameters, but not in PCA, distance from the posterior cartilage surface to the medial epicondyle, or medial tibial slope. We found anthropometric differences among age groups exist in most of distal femoral parameters, but not in posterior tibial slope. The results of this study can be used by manufacturers to modify prostheses to be suitable for the future Asian elderly population.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by grant no. 04-2010-0770 from the SNUH Research Fund.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, 110-744, South Korea

    Hyuksoo Han

  2. Department of Biostatistics, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, 20 Boramae 5th road, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, 156-707, South Korea

    Sohee Oh

  3. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, 20 Boramae 5th road, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, 156-707, South Korea

    Chong Bum Chang & Seung-Baik Kang

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  1. Hyuksoo Han
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Correspondence to Seung-Baik Kang.

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Han, H., Oh, S., Chang, C.B. et al. Anthropometric difference of the knee on MRI according to gender and age groups. Surg Radiol Anat 38, 203–211 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1536-2

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