Effect of lengthening along the anatomical axis of the femur and its clinical impact

Khaled M Emara, Ahmed Nageeb Mahmoud, Ahmed K Emara, Mariam K Emara

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

AIM: To review and study the effect of lengthening along the anatomical axis of long bones and its relation to the mechanical axis deviation.

METHODS: We try in this review to calculate and discuss the exact clinical impact of lengthening along the anatomical axis of the femur on affecting the limb alignment. Also we used a trigonometric formula to predict the change of the femoral distal anatomical mechanical angle (AMA) after lengthening along the anatomical axis.

RESULTS: Lengthening along the anatomical axis of the femur by 10% of its original length results in reduction in the distal femoral AMA by 0.57 degrees. There is no objective experimental scientific data to prove that the Mechanical axis is passing via the center of the hip to the center of the knee. There is wide variation in normal anatomical axis for different populations. In deformity correction, surgeons try to reproduce the normal usual bone shape to regain normal function, which is mainly anatomical axis.

CONCLUSION: Lengthening of the femur along its anatomical axis results in mild reduction of the distal femoral AMA. This may partially compensate for the expected mechanical axis lateralisation and hence justify its minimal clinical impact.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)431-435
Number of pages5
JournalWorld journal of orthopedics
Volume8
Issue number5
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

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