Is there an alternative to the full-leg radiograph for determining knee joint alignment in osteoarthritis?

Abstract

Objective. To assess the concurrent validity of alternative measures of frontal plane knee alignment, namely the radiographic anatomic axis and 5 clinical measures, in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (OA) as compared with the mechanical axis on radiograph. Methods. Forty individuals (mean ± SD age 64.7 ± 9.4 years) with symptomatic medial knee OA participated. Knee alignment was measured according to the following methods: lower-limb mechanical axis on radiograph, lower-limb anatomic axis on radiograph, visual observation, distance between medial knee joint lines or medial malleoli using a calliper, distance between a plumb line and medial knee joint line or malleolus using a calliper..