title: Total condylar knee arthroplasty. Prosthetic component positioning and radiolucent lines.
abstract: Prosthetic positioning and overall postoperative alignment were studied in 138 consecutive total knee replacements, using the Insall/Burstein total condylar knee system. Overall alignment was within 7 +/- 5 degrees of valgus in 63 per cent of the knees, while tibial component positioning was within 4 degrees of tilt in any direction in 53 per cent of the knees. A radiolucency index incorporating width and extent of radiolucent zones at the tibia was shown to progress from 3 months to 2 years postoperatively. The radiolucency index 2 years postoperatively was higher with postoperative varus alignment in the rheumatoid arthritis group; a tibial component tilt of more than 4 degrees in any direction increased the radiolucency index in both treatment groups.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011859:Radiography