Radiographic assessment of alignment following TKA: Outline of a standardized protocol and assessment of a newly devised trigonometric method of analysis

Abstract

Background: An important determinant of long-term outcomes following total knee arthrolplasty (TKA) is post-operative alignment as measured on radiographs. Thus far, radiographs have been measured using the goniometer method (GM) and no standard protocol has been followed. The aim of this prospective study was to: (i) outline a protocol for radiographic measurement following TKA; and (ii) compare the accuracy of the traditional GM with a new trigonometric method (TM) of radiographic analysis. Methods: A protocol for the measurement of alignment on radiographs following TKA was outlined in detail with step-by-step instructions. A new TM of angle measurement was also delineated. Alignment was ..