Deformity analysis of the lower limb on the coronal plane in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objectives To evaluate joint orientation angles of the coronal plane in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in comparison with osteoarthritis (OA). Methods In total, 72 patients with RA (90 knees) and 76 patients with OA (90 knees) who underwent total knee arthroplasty were enrolled. The hip–knee–ankle (HKA) angle, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA), and joint line convergence angle (JLCA) were measured on preoperative long-leg radiographs in the standing position. Student’s t-test was used to assess differences in radiographic data between patients with RA and OA. Results In knees with RA and OA, the mean HKA was −3.4 ± 9.4° and −10.6 ± 8.0°, the mean mLDFA was 86.6 ± 3.7° and 88.2 ± 2.7°, the mean mMPTA was 85.9 ± 4.0° and 84.3 ± 3.7°, and the mean JLCA was 2.7 ± 4.2° and 6.8 ± 4.1°. All parameters in the knees with RA were more valgus than those with OA. Conclusions Knees with RA had a great variability in joint orientation angles on the coronal plane; the whole lower limb alignment and the femur, tibia, and joint were more valgus in knees with RA than with OA.