In this study the relationship between knee osteoarthritis and rotational alignment of the lower limb was prospectively evaluated.
We evaluated the computed tomographic (CT) scans and conventional radiographs of 85 patients (69 females, 16 males; mean age 60.1; range 43 to 81 years) with knee pain for measurement of acetabular anteversion, femoral torsion, rotation of the knee, and tibial torsion and femoro-tibial alignment. Modified Kellgren-Lawrence classification was used to evaluate knee osteoarthritis in the patients.
There was no osteoarthritis in 68 knees. Thirty-one knees had grade I, 37 knees had grade II and 34 knees had grade III osteoarthritis. In the CT examinations of the patients the mean acetabular anteversion was 18.5 degrees for both extremities. The mean femoral torsion was 8.3 degrees on the right extremity and 10.2 degrees on the left extremity. The mean knee torsion was 2.2 degrees on the right extremity and 1.3 degrees on the left extremity. The mean tibial torsion was 30.9 degrees on the right extremity and 31.3 degrees on the left extremity. On the plain X-rays, anatomical axis was 0 degrees on the right extremity and -0.6 degrees on the left extremity. No significant relationship between knee osteoarthritis and rotational alignment of the lower limb was found (p>0.05).
Often thought to be idiopathic, primary osteoarthritis of the knee joint may occur secondary to mechanical stresses. Although valgus and varus deformities of the knee joint investigated extensively the effects of rotational deformities have not been investigated enough. Our study was not able to show any association between knee osteoarthritis and rotational alignment of the lower limb.