AUTHOR=Jiang Zheng , Lü Xiaolong , Zheng Nan , Fang Zhaoyi , Mao Yanjie , He Axiang , Zhang Xuancheng , Lin Weiming , Bao Bingbo , Zheng Xianyou , Liu Wanjun 

TITLE=Iso-height axis correlates with collateral ligament balance in medial compartment knee osteoarthritis

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2025.1695631

DOI=10.3389/fbioe.2025.1695631

ISSN=2296-4185

ABSTRACT=PurposeA dynamic iso-height Axis (IHA) was invented based on knee flexion motion and supposed to be a target to restore knee soft tissue balance, which is critical in knee surgeries. This study aims to validate the correlation between IHA and the elongation patterns of the medial and lateral collateral ligaments (MCL and LCL).MethodsTwenty-six patients with unilateral MCKOA and intact contralateral knees were enrolled. Three-dimensional models of knee were built from CT scan. The TEA, GCA and footprints of superficial, deep MCL (sMCL, dMCL) and LCL were determined based on knee surface models. Each ligament was divided into three bundle according to the anatomical feature. Patients performed stair climbing under the surveillance of dual fluoroscopic imaging system (DFIS), and the elongation of collateral ligament bundle and IHA positions of bilateral knees were calculated.ResultsCompared to the native side, the sMCL and dMCL bundles were shorter (mean −2.9% and −6.2%, respectively), while the LCL medial and posterior bundles were significantly longer (mean 4.5%) in MCKOA knees. There were no significant differences in the IHA between the medial compartment knee osteoarthritis (MCKOA) knee and the native knee during daily extension. Besides, the iso-height point on the lateral femoral condyle geometrical centre axis (GCA) plane nearly overlapped with the lateral GCA point. There was a significant correlation between the differences of two-sided IHA positions and the differences of two-sided collateral ligament elongations (P < 0.01).ConclusionThis study firstly validated the correlation between IHA and the elongation patterns of the MCL and LCL, suggesting that IHA can reflect longitudinal soft tissue balance state of the knee joint. This finding provides new insights for improving design and planning in future clinical interventions.