Proper femoral and tibial component rotational positioning in TKA is critical for outcomes. Several rotational landmarks are
frequently used with different advantages and limitations. We wondered whether coronal axes in the tibia and femur based on
the transepicondylar axis in the femur would correlate with anteroposterior deformity. We obtained computed tomography scans
of 100 patients with arthritis before they underwent TKA. We measured the posterior condylar angle on the femoral side and
the angle between Akagi’s line and perpendicular to the projection of the femoral transepicondylar axis on the tibial side.
On the femoral side, we found a linear relationship between the posterior condylar angle and coronal deformity with valgus
knees having a larger angle than varus knees, ie, gradual external rotation increased with increased coronal deformity from
varus to valgus. On the tibial side, the angle between Akagi’s line and the perpendicular line to the femoral transepicondylar
axis was on average approximately 0°, but we observed substantial interindividual variability without any relationship to
gender or deformity. A preoperative computed tomography scan was a useful, simple, and relatively inexpensive tool to identify
relevant anatomy and to adjust rotational positioning. We do not, however, recommend routine use because on the femoral side,
we found a relationship between rotational landmarks and coronal deformity.
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patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.
Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation and that all investigations
were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research.