Quadriceps tendon malalignment is an independent anatomical deformity which is the primary abnormality associated with lateral facet patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study are to, firstly, develop techniques to accurately identify extensor mechanism malalignment by measuring the alignment of the quadriceps tendon (QTA) with computerized tomography (CT) scans. Secondly, to investigate correlations between QTA and lower limb bony anatomical variations within a representative normal population. Lastly, to evaluate the clinical significance of QTA by establishing its potential connection with lateral facet patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (LFPFJOA). METHOD: CT scans were orientated to a mechanical axis reference frame and three techniques developed to measure the alignment of the quadriceps tendon. Multiple measurement of bony alignment from the hip to the ankle were performed on each scan. A series of 110 cadaveric CT scans were measured to determine normal values, reproducibility, and correlations with bony anatomy. Secondly, a comparison between 2 groups of 25 patients, 1 group with LFPFJOA and 1 group with isolated medial OA and no LFPFJOA. RESULTS: From the cadaveric study, it was determined that the alignment of the quadriceps tendon is on average 4.3° (SD 3.9) varus and the apex of the tendon is 9.1 mm (SD 7.7 mm) lateral to the trochlear groove and externally rotated 1.9° (SD 12.4°) from the centre of the femoral shaft. There was no association between the quadriceps tendon alignment and any other bony measurements including tibial tubercle trochlear groove distance (TTTG), coronal alignment, trochlear groove alignment and femoral neck anteversion. A lateralized QTA was significantly associated with LFPFJOA. QTA in the LFPFJOA group was 9.6° varus (SD 2.8°), 21.3 mm (SD 6.6) lateralised and 17.3° ER (SD 11°) compared to 5.5° (SD 2.3°), 10.7 mm (SD 4.9) and 3.3° (SD 7.2°), respectively, in the control group (p < 0.001). A significant association with LFPFJOA was also found for TTTG (17.2 mm (SD 5.7) vs 12.1 mm (SD 4.3), p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis confirmed the QTA as having the stronger association with LFPFJOA than TTTG (AUC 0.87 to 0.92 for QTA vs 0.79 for TTTG). CONCLUSION: These studies have confirmed the ability to accurately determine QTA on CT scans. The normal values indicate that the QTA is highly variable and unrelated to bony anatomy. The comparative study has determined that QTA is clinically relevant and a lateralised QTA is the dominant predictor of severe LFPFJOA. This deformity should be considered when assessing patella maltracking associated with patella osteoarthritis, patella instability and arthroplasty. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III (retrospective cohort study).

Augmented Reality Navigation Can Achieve Accurate Coronal Component Alignment During Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background Computer-navigated knee arthroplasty has been shown to improve accuracy over conventional instruments. The next generation of computer assistance is being developed using augmented reality. The accuracy of augmented reality navigation has not been established. Methods From April 2021 to October 2021, a prospective, consecutive series of 20 patients underwent total knee arthroplasty utilising an augmented reality-assisted navigation system (ARAN). The coronal and sagittal alignment of the femoral and tibial bone cuts was measured using the ARAN and the final position of the components was measured on postoperative CT scans. The absolute difference between the measurements was recorded to determine the accuracy of the ARAN. Results Two cases were excluded due to segmentation errors, leaving 18 cases for analysis. The ARAN produced a mean absolute error of 1.4°, 2.0°, 1.1° and 1.6° for the femoral coronal, femoral sagittal, tibial coronal and tibial sagittal alignments, respectively. No outliers (absolute error of >3°) were identified in femoral coronal or tibial coronal alignment measurements. Three outliers were identified in tibial sagittal alignment, with all cases demonstrating less tibial slope (by 3.1°, 3.3° and 4°). Five outliers were identified in femoral sagittal alignment and in all cases, the component was more extended (3.1°, 3.2°, 3.2°, 3.4° and 3.9°). The mean operative time significantly decreased from the first nine augmented reality cases to the final nine cases by 11 minutes (p<0.05). There was no difference in the accuracy between the early and late ARAN cases. Conclusion Augmented reality navigation can achieve accurate alignment of total knee arthroplasty with a low rate of component malposition in the coronal plane. Acceptable and consistent accuracy can be achieved from the initial adoption of this technique, however, some sagittal outliers were identified and there is a clear learning curve with respect to operating time. The level of evidence was IV.