Sex-based differences in the morphometric parameters of distal of the femur: A magnetic resonance imaging study

The morphology of the knee joint varies according to sex and ethnic groups. Full knowledge of these variable morphological data is important for achieving formal compatibility between the knee surface to be resected and the prosthesis when designing knee arthroplasty. This study aimed to perform morphometric measurements of distal femoral anatomy in healthy adults in terms of sex and age.
The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images of 180 patients aged 22 years or older were retrospectively examined in 2018. The anthropometric measurements of the distal femoral anatomy were performed using proton density spectral attenuated inversion recovery MRI sequences. The anatomic and surgical transepicondylar axis length, anterolateral and anteromedial condylar depth, posterior condylar length, epicondylar axis angle, intercondylar notch width and length, and medial and lateral condylar height were measured in all cases. The values obtained were recorded in millimeters and degrees and evaluated through comparisons by sex and age.
The distal femoral dimensions were significantly higher in males than in females in terms of all parameters measured independently of age (P < 0.05).
In this study, the normal reference values of distal femur measurements were determined using MRI in adult patients. These reference values can guide the knee surgery.