Assessment of the utility of scanograms in primary total knee arthroplasty

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Technological advancements in the field of knee arthroplasty is leading to an increased number of surgeries being performed every year. This upward trend is due to the aim of the operating orthopaedicians to achieve the most accurate limb alignment to thereby deliver improved functional outcome. Pre-operative assessment of limb alignment is done by two modalities commonly, scanograms and conventional radiographs. The current study was hence designed to evaluate, validate and compare these pre-operative assessment techniques in terms of their post-operative outcomes. Post-operative outcomes were assessed in different dimensions, namely post-operatively achieved limb alignment was analyzed using scanograms and the functional outcomes using specific outcome tools – WOMAC score and Oxford Knee score.Methods: A total of 24 subjects (47 knees) were enrolled in the study as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria.Results: The results obtained from our study indicate that despite better neutral alignment was achieved by the use scanograms, it did not provide any significant improvement in the functional outcome of our subjects. Interpretation and Conclusion: The use of scanograms pre-operatively has little practical value and is an additional cost borne by the patient. More large scale, organized and sophisticated research needs to be done on the same, to enable its application in orthopedic surgery.