摘要

Background: A simple and appropriate approach for evaluating an acceptable alignment of bone around the knee during operation has not yet been reported. Methods: Thirty-five men and 35 women presenting with nonunion or malunion of the unilateral femoral shaft were included in the first study. Using the standing scanograph, the contralateral normal lower extremity was measured to determine the normal deviation angle (DA) of the medial malleolus when the medial aspect of the knee was placed in the midline of the body. In the second study, the normal DA from individual patients was used as a reference to evaluate knee alignment during operation in 40 other patients presenting with distal femoral or proximal tibial nonunion or malunion. The clinical and knee functional outcomes of these 40 patients were investigated. Results: The average normal DA was 4.2 degrees in men and 6.0 degrees in women (p<0.001). Thirty-four of the 40 patients presenting with disorders around the knee were followed up for an average of 3.6 years (range, 1.1-6.5 years). Thirty fractures healed with a union rate of 88% and an average union period of 4.2 months (range, 2.5-6.5 months). Ideal knee alignment was maintained in all 30 patients with fracture union. Satisfactory function of the knee was achieved in 28 patients (82%, p<0.001). Conclusions: Using a normal DA as a reference may be a feasible and effective technique for evaluating an acceptable alignment of bone around the knee during operation.

  • 出版日期2014-3

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