title: Profile of the distal femur anterior cortex--a computer-assisted cadaveric study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Accurate positioning and sizing of the femoral component in total knee arthroplasty is important for stability and functional outcome. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the bony profiles of the distal anterior femoral cortex (AFC).
  
  
  METHODS
  Anatomical bony landmarks on 50 adult cadaveric femora were collected. Critical points were used to identify the distal AFC surface.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were four anterior cortex profiles: (1) lateral side highest and medial side lowest (56%); (2) lowest height in median area (26%); (3) highest height in median area (14%); (4) medial side highest and lateral side lowest (4%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anterior referencing in TKA needs to represent the anterior shape of the distal femoral cortex to prevent notching, femoro-patellar overstuffing or flexion gap mismanagement. Due to the variability of the AFC, surgeons have to carefully select the AFC landmark to be sure of avoiding complications.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Human Anatomy, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ UK.
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Page
authors.forename: J-B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Pinzuti
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Deakin
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Payne
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Picard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D002102:Cadaver; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005269:Femur / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular