Lateral knee positioning

Case contributed by Andrew Murphy
Diagnosis not applicable

The distal femoral condyles have distinct features that can be used for differentiation and hence positional errors that can be corrected.

The medial condyle has a medial adductor tubercle
The lateral condyle has the condylopatellar sulcus 

These landmarks are a lot more reliable than the fibular head. 

Scroll to see annotation

Annotated image

Rotation

  • medial adductor tubercle is anterior to the lateral condyle
    • rotate the knee internally to bring it posteriorly

Abduction and adduction

  • medial condyle is proximal to the lateral condylar
    • perform adduction

Scroll to see annotation

Annotated image

Rotation

  • medial adductor tubercle is anterior to the lateral condyle
    • rotate the knee internally to bring it posteriorly

Abduction and adduction

  • medial condyle is proximal to the lateral condylar
    • perform adduction

Scroll to see annotation

Annotated image

Rotation

  • medial adductor tubercle is posterior to the lateral condyle
    •  rotate the knee externally to bring it anterior 

Abduction and adduction

No change needed

Case Discussion

Rotation

  • medial adductor tubercle is posterior to the lateral condyle
    •  rotate the knee externally to bring it anterior
  • medial adductor tubercle is anterior to the lateral condyle
    • rotate the knee internally to bring it posteriorly

Abduction and adduction

  • medial condyle is proximal to the lateral condylar
    • perform adduction
  • medial condyle is distal to the lateral condyle
    • perform abduction

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