Accuracy of a non-radiographic method of measuring varus/valgus alignment in knees with osteoarthritis

Knee alignment has been shown to affect incidence, progression and treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The gold standard for measuring alignment is a radiograph that is often difficult to obtain. This study demonstrates that a clinical non-radiographic measure can serve as a surrogate assessment of knee alignment in older adults with knee OA. We believe these findings will allow more widespread evaluation of one critical mechanical factor essential to the study of knee OA.