Tibial anatomy and functional axes.

Articular geometry of the tibia has been studied in relation to the functional axis and extra-articular bone landmarks, using a Cartesian coordinate system. Thirty-one cadaver limbs were used, 26 of them paired. The donor age range was 61 to 89 years (17 females, 14 males), none of whom showed evidence of significant arthritic deterioration. Most linear parameters were greater in males than females (p less than 0.005), and correlations between these parameters were noted, e.g., tibial length versus plateau width (r = 0.7, p less than 0.01) with both genders combined. Gender differences occurred in only two of the angular parameters--tibial torsion (p less than 0.025) and foot rotation (p less than 0.005). For the latter, mean rotation was internal (-5 degrees) for males, and external (11 degrees) for females. No correlations between angular parameters were found. In the paired limbs, there was asymmetrical distribution of just two parameters--varus tilt of the tibial plateau margins (p less than 0.005) and lateral deviation of the tuberosity (p less than 0.025). The data complement a previous report on the femur. These studies are relevant to the kinematics of the lower limb, design and sizing of resurfacing components, and possibly to the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.

Geometry of the first metatarsophalangeal joint.

This study aimed to define the articular geometry of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint of the great toe. Embedded in resin blocks, five pairs of cadaveric first MTP joints (all from men) were sequentially cut in the sagittal plane with a milling machine, removing 0.5 mm of bone in each cut. The photographed cartilaginous outline of each cut was digitized against reference markers, which enabled a computer system to superimpose each outline in three dimensions. The intersesamoidal ridge was found to be parallel to the lateral shaft. The peak of the ridge was just lateral to the midline of the MT head. The articular outline, through the ridge of each sample, was circular; however, other surface contours were noncircular. The undulating plantar aspect of the MTP head formed by the intersesamoidal ridge and related grooves was found to have symmetric relationships to the sesamoid bones and a consistent orientation to the shaft. The rounded distal dorsal aspect of the MTP head showed consistent differences to the concavity formed by the phalangeal base. The sample size is too small for the sizing of prostheses but it is adequate to study the geometry of the MTP joint. More data are needed for the accurate replication of a resurfacing prosthesis and understanding of joint kinematics.

Geometry of the humeroulnar joint.

Clinical results with elbow prostheses have been disappointing. A detailed knowledge of elbow joint geometry and mechanics is necessary to improve prosthetic design. In this study, the humeroulnar articulation of four human cadaver elbows was examined using surface analytic methods. In this article, the location of the transverse axis of elbow flexion-extension is suggested in relation to well-defined landmarks, the medial and lateral epicondyles, and subsequently to the line connecting their most lateral points--the transepicondylar line. The geometry of the structures responsible for the carrying angle is discussed, as is the extent of cartilage-covered bearing areas of the lower humerus and upper ulna. Implications pertaining to prosthetic design and surgical technique resulting from this study are discussed.

Resurfacing elbow prosthesis: shape and sizing of the humeral component.

The sizing and dimensioning of a new unconstrained elbow prosthesis makes use of a geometric axis for humeral articulating surface definition, an axis which is precisely positioned with respect to extra-articular anatomical landmarks. The geometry of the joint was determined by a slicing and digitization technique. It was found that for the humerus an axisymmetric surface is evident and that there exists a centroidal axis which is mostly linear except for a portion at the posterior lateral flange of the trochlea. Sizing studies were carried out on dry bone anatomical specimens and, using a standardized X-ray technique, on the elbows of volunteer subjects. Seven dimensions were chosen for statistical analysis of the joint. A multi-variate normal distribution model, using only the first principal component was found to account for 70% of the variance; components 2 and 3 explained a further 19%. From this analysis, one series of three and five sizes of prosthetic dimensions were established for 95% overall coverage of population.

A quantitative method of assessing malalignment and joint space loss of the human knee.

Malalignment and joint space loss in the arthritic human knee can be measured quantitatively by employing a frame that allows for parallax correction of radiographs taken from the weight bearing lower limb. This standardized method will assist pre-operative planning for osteotomies and post-operative follow-up of patients with surgical re-aligned lower limbs. The procedure requires anatomically important points to be digitized, together with reference points built into the frame. Data are then processed automatically in a desk top computer, and the program provides for an easily understood diagram and listing of characteristic indices of malalignment.