Methods of Radiologic Evaluation of Total-Condylar Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

Although many new imaging methods have been developed in recent years, plain radiographs remain the most important method in the pre- and postoperative evaluation in total knee arthroplasty. Computerized tomography may play a role in the design or selection of a prosthesis for the individual patient, as information about the size and shape of the knee from a scan can be transferred to a computer used for design or selection of prostheses. Ultrasound can be used to diagnose a fluid-filled popliteal cyst but otherwise has no use in evaluating the knee preoperatively. Magnetic resonance shows promise in imaging of the ligaments and articular cartilage of the knee. The metallic portions of a prosthesis limit the use of computerized tomography and ultrasound in postoperative imaging. Radionuclide scanning has played a supplemental role to plain radiographs in evaluation of painful knees pre- and postoperatively.