The Relationship of Anteroposterior, Transepicondylar and Posterior Condylar Axis of the Femur: A Thai Cadaveric Study Using Digital Measurement
Sukit Saengnipanthkul MD*, Chatchawal Sarntipiphat MD*, Amnart Chaichoon MD**, Gowit Chaisiwamongkol MD**
Affiliation : * Department of Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand ** Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
Objective : To study the normal relationship of the anteroposterior (AP), transepicondylar (TE) and posterior
condylar (PC) axis of cadaveric femoral bones using digital technology and special computer program.
Material and Method: Digital image of distal femur of 100 cadaveric bones of both sides and both sexes were
taken using a special stand and clamp to ensure the same view and same distance from bone to camera. All still
images were transferred into a specially developed computer program, then reference points were located by
two observers, and were done twice at one week interval. The program reported the angle between AP-TE,
AP-PC and TE-PC axes automatically. The data was then analyzed.
Results : The age of donor cadaveric bones ranged from 22 to 58 years (average 45.61 + 7.73). The AP-TE,
AP-PC and TE-PC angles were 92.43 + 2.07, 86.65 + 1.85 and 5.79 + 1.26, respectively. The correlation
coefficients of intra-observer reliability in observer 1 were 0.89, 0.87 and 0.91; in observer 2 were 0.92, 0.90
and 0.87. The correlation coefficients of inter-observer reliability were 0.81, 0.82 and 0.80. Limit agreement
tests of AP-TE, AP-PC and TE-PC were 90.59%, 92.57% and 96.03%, in that order.
Conclusion : Using digital technology, the normal relationship of AP, TE and PC axes of femur from cadaveric
bone could be more accurately studied comparing with the previous studies performing measurement on plain
film, CT scan or MRI using goniometer.
Keywords : Cadaver, Femur, Distal femoral axis, Cadaveric study, Digital measurement
