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FTFA change under valgus stress force radiography is useful for evaluating the correctability of intra-articular varus deformity in UKA

  • Knee Arthroplasty
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this observational study was to investigate the postoperative alignment change with Oxford unicompartmental knee arthroplasties (UKA), and clarify whether femoro-tibial facet angle (FTFA) is useful for evaluating alignment correctability with UKA.

Methods

This study evaluated 79 knees consecutive minimally invasive Oxford phase 3 UKAs performed between 2013 and 2014. Full-length weight-bearing radiographs of the lower limbs were obtained pre- and postoperatively to assess varus angle. Preoperative valgus stress radiography in the supine position was also performed. FTFA was measured on weight-bearing anteroposterior radiography and valgus stress radiography.

Results

The preoperative varus angle of 4.6° ± 3.1° reduced to 1.7° ± 2.6° postoperatively. Preoperative varus angle and postoperative varus angle change strongly correlated with the FTFA value and its change on the valgus stress radiographs, respectively (p < 0.01). Based on preoperative FTFA under valgus stress radiography, intra-articular varus corrected group (37 knees) with preoperative varus angle 2.9° ± 2.4° was corrected to − 0.3° ± 2.0° after UKA. However, intra-articular varus uncorrected group (42 knees) with preoperative varus angle 6.0° ± 3.0° was only corrected to 3.5° ± 1.7°. Thirteen knees (16.5%) were overcorrected to valgus after UKA, with a mean FTFA of − 1.2° ± 0.4° under valgus stress force, which related with a postoperative valgus angle 0.8° ± 1.2°.

Conclusion

FTFA change under valgus stress force was useful for evaluating the correctability of UKA. It could reflect intra-articular varus deformity. Intra-articular varus deformity not corrected under valgus stress would result in varus after UKA. However, intra-articular deformity which could be overcorrected under valgus stress would have a tendency to valgus after Oxford UKA.

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Funding

This study was funded by “the capital health research and development of special” (Grant number 2016-2-4062) and  National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant number 81703896).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Beijing Key Lab Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China

    Qidong Zhang, Juan Yue, Weiguo Wang & Wanshou Guo

  2. Department of Radiology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Yinghua Street, Beijing, 100029, China

    Yan Chen & Qichao Zhao

Authors
  1. Qidong Zhang
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  2. Juan Yue
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  3. Weiguo Wang
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  4. Yan Chen
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  5. Qichao Zhao
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  6. Wanshou Guo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wanshou Guo.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Zhang, Q., Yue, J., Wang, W. et al. FTFA change under valgus stress force radiography is useful for evaluating the correctability of intra-articular varus deformity in UKA. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 138, 1003–1009 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-018-2945-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-018-2945-6

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