Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Anthropometric measurements of the distal femoral fragment play a crucial role in prosthesis design during arthroplastic knee surgeries and offer valuable clues for stature estimation in forensic investigations. The present study is an attempt to assess various anthropometric parameters of the distal femur in this regard. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 96 intact dry femora were anthropometrically assessed using digital Vernier calipers. The femoral length was measured using an osteometric table. The torsion angle was calculated with an analog goniometer. The various parameters studied included: medial condyle length and thickness, lateral condyle length and thickness, bicondylar width, intercondylar width, intercondylar depth, torsional angle, and femoral length. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using SPSS software (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). RESULTS: Mean medial condyle length was 57.38±4.47mm and thickness was 24.53±2.27mm. Mean lateral condyle length and thickness were found to be 58.49±4.3mm and 25.33±3.15mm respectively. Mean bicondylar width was 71.96±6.73mm, mean intercondylar width 21.86±2.71mm, and the intercondylar depth 27.04±2.59mm respectively. The average femur length was 41.87±3.31mm and the average torsion angle was 20.19°±6.99°. Significant correlations were observed between distal femoral parameters. Lateral condyle length showed maximum correlation with other parameters. Femur length was found to correlate significantly with all parameters except medial condyle thickness. Torsion angle was significantly correlated with lateral condyle length and femur length only. DISCUSSION: The findings of this study show considerable variation from those of other studies done within India. This proves that distal femoral anthropometry has regional variations. These data can aid sports physicians and orthopedic surgeons with implant designing and forensic experts during investigations.