title: The level of the joint line after cruciate-retaining total knee replacement: a new coordinate system.
abstract: This study assessed joint line changes after knee replacement surgery. Sixty consecutive cruciate-retaining total knee replacements were followed up. The height of the femorotibial joint line in extension and in 90 degrees flexion were analysed. A new coordinate system was used. It is based on two perpendicular axes applied to a lateral X-ray: one axis is drawn along the anterior cortex of the distal femur and the other axis overlies the intersection of the inter-condylar roof and the posterior femoral condyles. In patients with non-posterior stabilised implants, the landmarks chosen appear to be reliable and useful. In this study, the femorotibial joint line was displaced distally, and the surgical instrumentation was changed accordingly.
authors.affiliation: Orthopaedic and Traumatologic Department, La Meynard University Hospital, BP 632- 97261 Fort de France Martinique, France. jlrouvillain@sasi.fr
authors.forename: Jean-Louis
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Rouvillain
authors.forename: Hugues
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pascal-Mousselard
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Favuto
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kanor
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Garron
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Catonne
mesh_terms: D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular