Validation of a Stress Device for the Knee

X-rays are the most frequently used imaging test when evaluating the knee for joint replacement. They are non-invasive, safe and cost effective. They allow assessment of: progression of disease, appropriateness for joint replacement (in particular unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR)) as well as likely prognosis following replacement.

Currently standard assessment involves: standing anteroposterior, lateral and skyline X-ray views. In addition in patients being considered for joint replacement valgus/varus stress X-rays are used to evaluate the lateral compartment (as well as medial collateral ligament) and medial compartment respectively to assess the status of the cartilage.

The assessment of pattern and severity of disease is critical when evaluating suitability for joint replacement and well as when deciding between total knee replacement (TKR), where all articulating surface are replaced, or UKR, where only the diseased portion of the joint is replaced. Understanding the pattern of disease is essential to ensure appropriate patient selection for UKR, which is appropriate in up to half of patients undergoing knee replacement, and has significant benefits over TKR including: half the risk of venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction or deep infection, two thirds the risk of stroke, one quarter the risk of blood transfusion and significantly lower mortality up to eight years following their operation.

Stress X-rays are currently performed by the clinician, requiring them to attend radiology, often during clinic. To perform the stress views the clinician fixes the knee and moves the tibia away from the midline, valgus stress, where an X-ray is taken. The alignment of this view is confirmed before the tibia is moved towards the midline, varus stress, where another X-ray is taken. Stress X-rays are resource dependent and can be time consuming. In addition, the technique can be uncomfortable for patients as well as resulting in additional radiation exposure to the clinical practitioner. On an average, a knee surgeon may be exposing themselves to excess of 300 exposures every year with the cumulative effect of radiation exposure being significant. As such in many centers stress views are often not performed, and as standing antero-posterior X-ray views are inadequate to assess disease severity and pattern many clinicians have adopted additional imaging modalities such as MRI or direct observation via arthroscopy to evaluate the status of the cartilage in each compartment. The use of these additional imaging techniques introduces significant additional costs as well as delays to treatment. Furthermore the long term outcomes of UKR have been established using stress views, and as a consequence outcomes based on MRI or arthroscopic findings have not been fully established.

A patient and user friendly device for performing valgus and varus stress X-rays of the knee for diagnostic and pre-operative planning purposes in the setting of knee replacement surgery has been developed. This device has the potential to benefit patients as it will allow an accurate assessment of the pattern and severity of arthritis affecting their knee without the need for additional diagnostics such as MRI or arthroscopy. Furthermore for healthcare practitioners and providers this device will facilitate the smooth running of clinics and reduce the additional clinic appointments required to review MRI results. Ultimately this device will allow an informed discussion about treatment options, reduce the pre-operative uncertainty about suitability for UKR in those undergoing surgery and ensure that those patients who are suitable for UKR benefit from this procedure. This device will help ensure that patients receive the optimum treatment in a clinically and cost efficient manner.

This study will validate valgus and varus stress X-rays performed using the investigators' device against the gold standard of clinician performed manual stress.