title: Measurement of lower limb alignment using long radiographs.
abstract: Long radiographs are used to measure lower limb axial alignment, to assess the progression of deformity, and to plan corrective surgery. The purpose of this study was to test the belief that jigs are necessary in order to control limb position for radiography. Above-knee amputated limbs were fixed in different positions of rotation and of knee flexion and radiographed to study the effect on the apparent alignment of the limb. If the limb was rotated no more than 10 degrees from the neutral the effect on apparent axial alignment was minimal and radiographic measurement was reliable. This suggests that standardised positioning jigs are not needed in routine clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Robert Wood Johnson Clinical Scholars Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510.
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Treble
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Feinstein
mesh_terms: D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D009068:Movement; D015588:Observer Variation; D009983:Orthopedic Equipment; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods*; D011187:Posture; D011859:Radiography; D012399:Rotation