3-dimensional computer tomography is more accurate than traditional long-leg radiographs in the planning and evaluation of coronal alignment in total knee arthroplasty: a prospective study on 121 knees.

Background And Purpose: Accurate measuring tools are essential in preoperative planning and for the study of the association between postoperative alignment and clinical outcome in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We aimed to describe a simple method to measure preoperative hip-knee-femoral shaft (HKFS) angle and postoperative coronal alignment in TKA with the use of standard 3D CT and to compare preoperative HKFS angles and postoperative coronal alignment measured with the 3D CT technique and with standing long-leg hip-knee-ankle (HKA) radiographs.

Patients And Methods: HKA radiographs and 3D CT were taken preoperatively and 3 months after the operation in 121 knees.