title: [Evaluation of alignment on knees through a software].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diseases of the musculoskeletal system are often accompanied by postural deformity or malalignment. Genu varo or genu valgo can be found in the knees. It is necessary to have a diagnostic support test for diagnosis as well as for follow-up of cases since these diseases are frequently progressive and over time have serious repercussions on patient quality of life. Objective. To evaluate a software program that processes digitalized photographs as a diagnostic test for measuring the mechanical axis in patients with genu varo and genu valgo.
  
  
  METHODS
  The mechanical axis in both knees was measured by means of radiography (golden standard) and by means of a software program (proposed diagnostic test) in one hundred patients. Mechanical axis was considered to be abnormal when the angle was equal to or greater than four degrees. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were determined. Interobserver variation was evaluated with kappa statistics.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In relation to right knee genu varo, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictivie value were 0.84, 0.87, 0.84, and 0.87, respectively, and for the left knee values were 0.86, 0.87, 0.84, and 0.89, respectively. For genu valgo in the right knee, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were 0.78, 0.98, 0.95, and 0.92, respectively, and in the left knee were 0.88, 0.95, 0.88, and 0.95, respectively. Kappa value was 0.9 in the right knee and 0.8 in the left knee.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The software program (diagnostic test) was useful for diagnosing genu varo or genu valgo, representing a safe and low-cost study.
authors.affiliation: Universidad de Colima, Centro Universitario de Investigaciones Biomédicas de Colima, Col. Villas de San Sebastián.
authors.forename: Bertha Alicia
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Olmedo-Buenrrostro
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Jiménez-Herrera
authors.forename: Rafael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valadez-Meneses
authors.forename: Vicente R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Díaz-Giner
authors.forename: Benjamín
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Trujillo-Hernández
authors.forename: Xóchitl
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Trujillo
authors.forename: Miguel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huerta
authors.forename: Iván
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Delgado-Enciso
authors.forename: Ana Bertha
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Mora-Brambila
authors.forename: Clemente
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vásquez
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D056304:Genu Valgum / Q000175:diagnosis*; D056305:Genu Varum / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012984:Software; D055815:Young Adult