Weight-bearing radiography depends on limb loading.

PURPOSE: The mechanical axis of the lower limb has shown to vary between different weight-bearing conditions and change after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between mechanical axis alignment in standing long-leg radiographs and limb loading after TKA.

METHODS: Mechanical axis of the lower limb and limb loading have been prospectively evaluated in 115 patients 10 days and 3 months after TKA. By the moment of standing long-leg radiography for analysis of the mechanical leg axis, two digital scales separately captured the load of each limb.

RESULTS: Mechanical axis changed from an initial - 1° ± 2° valgus alignment to a varus axis of + 1° ± 2° (p < 0.01). This change in alignment was associated with an increase of limb loading from 89.9 ± 10.7 to 93.0 ± 7.0% (p < 0.01). The mechanical axis strongly correlated with relative limb loading at the first and second measurements (r = 0.804, p < 0.001, respectively, r = 0.562, p < 0.001). A significant change in the rate of outliers was registered within the observation period. These alterations and distinctions were much more pronounced in patients with postoperative incomplete extension (n = 15).

CONCLUSIONS: The postoperative mechanical axis correlates with limb loading. A clinical relevant change in frontal alignment of the lower limb is associated with increased limb loading after TKA. The actual mechanical axis can only be assessed at physiological limb loading in long-leg radiographs with complete extension at full weight bearing.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic study, Level II.