In patients who will be having total or partial knee replacements, or who are candidates for osteotomies, it is important to measure the alignment of the lower limb. Once again, this should ideally be done in a weight bearing position and the best method that we currently have available for doing this is a standing long leg alignment film, which shows the hip, knee and ankle on one x-ray film, on which lines can be drawn to measure various angles around the knee including the anatomical and mechanical axis of the lower limb. This information is then used to correct any deformity in the knee at the time of joint replacement or osteotomy.

This is a view that I routinely use for all my joint replacements and osteotomies to allow accurate correction of the underlying deformity at the time of surgery.

A long leg standing X-ray. The red line represents the body's line of weight-bearing (mechanical axis) through the knee. The axis runs from the centre of the hip to the centre of the ankle and should pass just through the medial (inner) compartment of the knee.

Last updated 08/04/2007

Website by Regency Medical Marketing