Morphometric analysis of lower end of adult dry femur in south Indian population –A cross-sectional observational study and its clinical significance

Abstract

Introduction and Aim:The human knee is the largest and most complex joint in the body. The distal end of femur in conjunction with the proximal end of tibia and patella, functions as a knee joint. The purpose of our study is to do a morphometric analysis of adult dry femur, which will greatly aid in implant selection and lessen the complications after knee surgery. The main objectives of our study were to study the various anatomical parameters of the lower end of femur that would facilitate orthopedicians design appropriate knee prosthesis based on the anthropometric data obtained. Materials and Methods:Our study was an observational and a descriptive study, done on 100 dry adult femur bones. The cross-sectional data was obtainedfrom the Department of Anatomy in a Medical college in Chennai, India. Sixparameters related to the lower end of Femur were studied. All measurements from the right and left femur were recorded separately. The data obtained were then entered in MicrosoftExcel sheet. The p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results:The mean bicondylar width for the right and left sides were 72.82 mm and 71.62 mm. The average Medial Condylar Antero-posterior distance for the right and left sides were 56.62 mm and 57.14 mm. Inter Condylar Notch Width for the right and left sides were 21.66 and 21.5 mm respectively. Except for Lateral Condylar Antero-posterior distance, not all other data showedany statistical significance between the two sides. Conclusion:Our study provides morphometric data of femoral condyles by direct method, which would be useful to select accurate prosthesis, minimize the mismatch andreduces the post-operative complications after implants. The data available from such studies and the knowledge gained will largely help orthopedicians to plan placement of intramedullary nails, plates, screws and pins, while also taking care to avoid injury to the adjacent neuro-vascular bundle. Keywords:Femur; condyles; inter-condylar notch; knee-joint; osteoarthritis.