Radiology of knee joint replacement

As total knee replacement becomes more successful due to advances in surgery and bioengineering, a greater number of patients will be offered this procedure as a viable alternative to arthrodesis. Radiologic consultation will be sought for evaluation of proper alignment as well as postoperative complications such as loosening, instability, dislocation, limitation of range of motion, fracture, and infection. This evaluation may be accomplished by plain films and arthrography. Radiographic aspects of these features are discussed and illustrated.