title: Alignment of total knee arthroplasty: the relationship to radiolucency around the tibial component.
abstract: Between January 1982 and July 1985, 122 cemented 'Accord' total knee replacements were performed. Out of this number, 21 were lost to follow-up because of death (in 16), revision (2) due to infection, and failure to attend (3). The post-operative alignment of 101 prostheses were compared to the incidence of radiolucencies around the tibial component at 5 years follow-up. The mechanical axis was used as a reference. The mean alignment was 0.99 degrees valgus with a standard deviation of 2.48 degrees. Some 72% of knees were within 3 degrees and 94% within 5 degrees of true alignment. Using two methods of assessing radiolucencies there was a non-significant relationship between the alignment and radiolucencies. The alignment tolerance with this prosthesis is, therefore, at least 5 degrees.
authors.affiliation: Walton Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: I A
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Harvey
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Manning
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Sampath
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Elloy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007720:Knee Prosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D011859:Radiography; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013997:Time Factors