Mechanical caudal distal femoral angle

The mechanical caudal distal femoral angle is a measurement for assessing angular deformities of the femur and provide guidance their correction. It is determined in the sagittal plane from a medio-lateral radiograph of the entire femur, or from a multiplanar reconstruction of the femur. In radiography, positioning is considered satisfactory if the medial condyle and lateral condyle are superimposed.

Method #1

A first line is drawn from the lesser trochanter through the proximal part of the trochlea of femur. A second line, perpendicular to the first one, is drawn. The mechanical caudal distal femoral angle, as defined by Yasukawa et al. 2016, is the angle formed by this second line and the mechanical femoral axis.

Yasukawa et al. 2016 found that the mechanical caudal distal femoral angle in Toy Poodles was 107.8 +/- 1.9° (Radiograpy) and 108.4 +/- 1.7° (CT).

Method #2

Peterson et al. 2020 defined the mechanical caudal distal femoral angle as the angle formed by the intersection of the mechanical femoral axis (Peterson et al. 2020) and the distal femoral joint orientation line (Peterson et al. 2020).

Peterson et al. 2020 found that the caudal distal femur mechanical angle of isolated femurs from medium- to large-breed dogs was 30.9° (30.3 - 31.6°).