Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional magnetic resonance image (MRI) measurement method can not only observe and measure knee diameters in one direction or a plane, but also measure the multi-directional and multi-plane diameter lines and angles.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the application of MRI measurement in the rotational alignment of knee prosthesis during knee replacement.
METHODS: A computer-based search was performed for retrieve of articles published 2001-01/2009-10 about the clinical application of MRI measurement in the rotational alignment of knee prosthesis. The key words were “magnetic resonance imaging, replacement” in Chinese and English.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Both of MRI and CT are three-dimensional measurement tools, which can measure the distance of the maximal salient point of the external epicondyle of the femur, the lowest point of the medial epicondyle of the femur, the maximal salient point of the medial epicondyle of the femur from the joint line between the back of the knee and distal end of the knee, groove depth and width of the medial epicondyle, the anteroposterior diameter of the femur, and the rotation angle of knee prosthesis. All the measurement data are of clinical significance. The findings show that the role of MRI measurement is superior to CT. As a result, MRI measurement can be considered as an ideal measurement method for the rotational alignment of knee prosthesis during knee replace replacement.