Measurement of Angulation after Treatment of Fractures of the Tibia: Comparison of Conventional Methods and New Method Using Mechanical Axis

Chung, Chul Yong; Son, Chan Young; Koo, Sun Bon; Kim, Sang Eun

Abstract

The importance of residual angular deformity after tibial fracture is still uncertain. but it is generally assumed that osteoarthritis of the ankle and the knee will result when the deformity is severe. Therefore accurate measurement of the alignment of the tibia is important clinically and in research. We compared the results of conventional methods (method 1,2) of measuring the angulation deformity after a fracture of the shaft of the tibia, with a new method using mechanical axis reported by Milner11) (method 3). Sixty-seven patients of tibial fractures with angulation deformity treated at sei Gang General Hospital from January 1995 to December 1996 were evaluated. Samples of 20 sets of standard AP and lateral radiographs of both tibia were measured. The results obtained were as follows. 1. The difference between the angles obtained by Milner's new method (method 3) and conventional methods (method 1,2) was significant in all planes. 2. Both the mean intra-& interobserver difference were minimal in new method, compared with conventional methods, t all planes. 3. There is no statistically significant difference using by paired T-test between angles obtained by new method and conventional methods (p>0.05). From these results, an angulation of measuring the new method was accurate and has good inter- and intraoesrver reliability.