Metal-on-metal hip resurfacing arthroplasty (MoMHRA) has undergone a recent resurgence as an alternative treatment option for young and active patients with significant hip osteoarthritis. Despite the satisfactory short-term implant survivorship, abnormal periprosthetic soft-tissue masses relating to the hip joint (pseudotumours) are being increasingly reported. These were found to be locally destructive, requiring revision surgery in a high proportion (75%) of patients, the outcome of which is poor. However, there is currently no definitive evidence of potential mechanisms involved in the occurrence of such destructive soft tissue masses. The broad aims of this thesis were: 1) to determine the extent of this emerging clinical complication (pseudotumour) with a high revision burden; and 2) to determine whether pseudotumour results from a local biological reaction to an increased wear debris burden generated by excessive MoMHRA implant wear. A clinical study investigated the prevalence of, and association between, pseudotumours and serum metal ion levels in 158 MoMHRA patients (201 hips). The overall prevalence of pseudotumour was found to be 4%, considerably higher than previously reported. The study also established that pseudotumour only occurred with elevated metal ion levels, suggesting the underlying cause is increased wear. It was postulated that pseudotumours are likely to be a biological reaction to the large amount of metal debris generated in vivo due to excessive wear. Two potential biological reactions mediating the occurrence of pseudotumours were then investigated. An in vitro clinical study demonstrated that systemic hypersensitivity type IV reaction, mediated by lymphocyte reactivity to these metals, is not the dominant biological response involved in pseudotumours. A further in vitro experiment demonstrated that metal particle-induced cytotoxicity is likely to be an important factor leading to pseudotumours. Subsequent research focused, firstly, on assessing the magnitude of bearing surface wear that occurs in pseudotumour patients, and secondly on elucidating the potential wear mechanism responsible for the increased implant wear in these patients. A retrieval study demonstrated that MoMHRA implants revised due to pseudotumour were associated with significantly greater linear wear rates. This combined with the metal ion data confirmed that pseudotumour is associated with increased wear at the MoM articulation. An edge-loading wear pattern was always found in the pseudotumour group. An in vivo study was then developed to investigate whether the edge-loading occurs during functional activities. Edge-loading in the pseudotumour group was found to occur with up to 4-fold increase in duration and up to 7-fold increase in force. This in vivo finding supported the in vitro retrieval study finding of an edge-loading wear pattern in the pseudotumour group, suggesting that edge-loading during functional activities is an important in vivo mechanism responsible for localised high wear and subsequent elevation of metal ion levels in MoMHRA patients with pseudotumours. It is concluded that pseudotumour is likely to result from a local biological reaction to increased metal debris load, generated by excessive MoMHRA implant wear due to edge-loading. In susceptible patients, the dose-dependent cytotoxicity of wear debris leads to subsequent necrosis of periprosthetic soft tissues. Clinicians need to be aware of pseudotumours and surgeons should undertake MoMHRA with great care in the knowledge that even with satisfactory component positioning, the problem can occur. In evaluating MoMHRA patients with unexplained symptoms with normal plain radiographs, further investigation with soft-tissue imaging modalities such as ultrasound or MRI is recommended.

Background: There are no core outcome domain or measurement sets for Total Joint Replacement (TJR) clinical trials. Our objective was to achieve an International consensus by orthopaedic surgeons on the OMERACT core domain/area set for TJR clinical trials. Methods: We conducted surveys of two orthopaedic surgeon cohorts, which included (1) the leadership of international orthopaedic societies and surgeons (IOS; cohort 1), and (2) the members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons' Outcome Special Interest Group (AAOS-Outcome SIG), and/or the Outcome Research Interest Group of the Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS; cohort 2). Participants rated OMERACT-endorsed preliminary core area set for TJR clinical trials on a 1 to 9 scale, indicating 1-3 as domain of limited importance, 4-6 being important, but not critical, and 7-9 being critical. Results: Eighteen survey participants from the IOS group and 69 participants from the AAOS-Outcome SIG/ORS groups completed the survey questionnaire. The median (interquartile range [IQR]) scores were seven or higher for all six proposed preliminary core areas/domains across both groups, IOS and AAOS-Outcome SIG/ORS, respectively: pain, 8 [8, 9] and 8 [7, 9]; function, 8 [8, 8] and 8 [7, 9]; patient satisfaction, 8 [7, 9] and 8 [7, 8]; revision surgery, 7 [6, 9] and 8 [6, 8]; adverse events, 7 [5, 8] and 7 [6, 9]; and death, 7 [7, 9] and 8 [5, 9]. Respective median scores were lower for two additional optional domains: patient participation, 6.5 [5, 7] and 6 [5, 8]; and cost, 6 [5, 7] and 6 [5, 7]. Conclusions: This study showed that two independent surveys dervied from three groups of orthopaedic surgeons with international representation endorsed a preliminary/draft OMERACT core domain/area set for Joint Replacement clinical trials.

Title: Rehabilitation after the shoulder joint arthroplasty Objectives: Confirmation of the hypothesis that there is a correlation between success of the surgery and the type of indication, age of the patient and the dominance of the operated upper extremity. At the end is the comparation of our achievements with foreign studies. Method: The clinical part was processed using standardized questionnaire with 34 patients from the rehabilitation clinic Medicentrum at Praha. This part compares the data 3 months after total shoulder arthroplasty with preoperative condition obtained restrospective at the same time. Results: The results show influence of the indications, age of the patient and dominance of the operated upper extremity on the successfulness after total shoulder arthroplasty. Key words: arthroplasty, shoulder joint, rehabilitation

Optimisation du positionnement des implants lors d’arthroplastie totale de hanche primaire La prothèse totale de hanche est considérée comme l’une des plus importantes avancées médicales du XXème siècle. L’objectif de ce travail était d’étudier l’orientation anatomique des structures constituant l’articulation de la hanche et d’ensuite analyser la position des implants des prothèses totales de hanche afin d’améliorer l’implantation des composants prothétiques dans le but de réduire les phénomènes de luxation, usure, fracture et douleurs inhérents à cette chirurgie. Une étude de l’orientation anatomique du ligament transverse de l’acetabulum, du labrum et des cornes a été réalisée. Ensuite nous nous sommes intéressés au composant fémoral avec des études radiographique et tomodensitométriques de l’antéversion fémorale. Nous avons essayé de mesurer l’antéversion fémorale prothétique à partir d’une radiographie de face. Ensuite, nous avons démontré que le scanner était un moyen fiable pour localiser le centre de la tête du fémur en comparaison avec un système Motion Analysis et un bras Faro. Enfin, nous avons mesuré l’antéversion fémorale avant et après PTH ainsi que la situation du centre de tête fémorale avant et après arthroplastie. Le but était d’analyser la possibilité de reproduire, avec une tige prothétique droite, l’antéversion fémorale native. Des applications pratiques de mesure de l’amplitude de mouvement prothétique ont permis de connaître, dans des cas de luxation prothétique, si le positionnement des implants était le facteur causal. Une application clinique a montré qu’en cas de positionnement non optimal de l’implant acétabulaire, l’incidence des fractures d’insert céramique était augmentée / Optimization of components’ positioning in primary total hip arthroplasty Total hip arthroplasty is one of the most important innovations of the 20th century. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anatomical orientation of articular structures of the hip and then to analyze component’s positioning in order to improve the implantation of prosthetic components to minimize dislocation, wear, fracture and pain. The anatomical orientation of transverse acetabular ligament, labrum and horns was studied. Femoral component orientation was assessed with the help of X-rays and CT-scan. We measured femoral anteversion with AP X-rays. Then, we demonstrated that CT-scan was an accurate method to localize femoral head center in comparison with Motion Analysis and Faro. Femoral anteversion and femoral head center were assessed before and after surgery. The goal was to analyze the restoration of femoral anteversion after THA with a straight cementless stem. Some cases of THA dislocations were evaluated with measurement of prosthetic ROM. It allowed us to know whether implant positioning was the risk factor of dislocation. A clinical observation showed that in case of cup malpositioning, the rate of ceramic liner fractures increased

Em um estudo prospectivo e randomizado sobre o posicionamento do componente acetabular na artroplastia total do quadril, 20 quadris foram operados com o auxílio da navegação livre de métodos de imagem e 20 quadris foram operados através do método convencional. Todas as cirurgias foram realizadas pelo mesmo cirurgião com o paciente em decúbito lateral. A avaliação do posicionamento foi feita através da medição tomográfica pós-operatória dos ângulos de anteversão e inclinação cirúrgicos e análise da zona de segurança. Os resultados obtidos foram similares em todas as comparações: anteversão média de 17,4o no grupo navegado e 14,5o no grupo convencional (p=0,215), inclinação média de 41,7o no grupo navegado e 42,2o no grupo convencional (p=0,633), desvio médio do objetivo da anteversão (15o) de 5,5o no grupo navegado e 6,6o no grupo convencional (p=0,429), desvio médio do objetivo da inclinação (40o) de 3o no grupo navegado e 3,2o no grupo convencional (p=0,783) e localização dentro da zona de segurança de 90% no grupo navegado e 80% no grupo convencional (p=0,661). A avaliação tomográfica pós-operatória do posicionamento acetabular na artroplastia total de quadril realizada com o paciente em decúbito lateral foi semelhante ao se comparar a técnica navegada com a técnica convencional / In a prospective and randomised study of the acetabular component position in total hip arthroplasty, 20 hips were operated using imageless navigation and 20 hips were operated using the conventional method. The same surgeon performed all the operations with the patient in the lateral position. The correct position of the acetabular component was evaluated with computed tomography performed after the surgeries, measuring the operative anteversion angle and the operative inclination angle and determining the cases inside the safe zone. The results were similar in all the analyses: a mean anteversion of 17.4o in the navigated group and 14.5o in the conventional group (p=0.215), a mean inclination of 41.7o in the navigated group and 42.2o in the conventional group (p=0.633), a mean deviation from the desired anteversion (15o) of 5.5o in the navigated group and 6.6o in the conventional group (p=0.429), a mean deviation from the desired inclination (40o) of 3o in the navigated group and 3.2o in the conventional group (p=0.783), and location inside the safe zone of 90% in the navigated group and 80% in the conventional group (p=0.661). The acetabular component positions tomography analyses in total hip arthroplasty, performed with the patient in the lateral position, were similar whether using imageless navigation or performing it conventionally

The glenohumeral joint has the largest range of motion in the body. This is due to its anatomy of the bony structure of the glenoid fossa providing a shallow socket with minimal constraint of the humeral head and the surrounding soft tissue structures serving as restraints to limit excessive humeral head translation. The bony and soft tissue structures function together with a delicate balance that when disrupted lead to several pathologies including degenerative osteoarthritis or glenohumeral instability, which are the focus of this research. For glenohumeral osteoarthritis, the gold standard treatment is total shoulder arthroplasty. Although the surgical success rate is reported at 95%, the long-term failure rate is as high as 30% and often caused by glenoid component failure. For glenohumeral instability, surgical capsular plication can significantly reduce recurrent dislocation rates, however, up to 70% of patients experience joint stiffness and a reduced range of motion. For these treatments, there is little consensus regarding what surgical parameters optimize functional recovery - consequently, several surgical techniques exist. Since long-term follow-ups are lacking and difficult to perform, basic science studies are needed to identify what surgical parameters are most likely to influence patient recovery. The objective of this research was to develop patient-specific computer models to create accurate representations of these pathologies and to investigate the effects of different surgical parameters in total shoulder arthroplasty and glenohumeral instability repair. A total shoulder arthroplasty computer model was developed to investigate the effect of surgical parameters of the glenoid implant component. An initial study performed a cadaveric validation of the methodology to simulate the reaming process for resurfacing the glenoid surface. This validated computer model was then used to investigate how the degree of correction of glenoid retroversion affects cement mantle stress and potential cement failure. The use of physiologic patient-specific bone models revealed that maintaining the cortical bone layer should take precedence over version correction when a high degree of glenoid deformity is encountered. A glenohumeral instability computer model was developed to investigate the effect of capsular repair on shoulder stability and joint range of motion. The computer model suggests that adding a plication of the posterior band of the inferior glenohumeral ligament offloads regions of high strain from the anterior region of the glenoid attachment site which may indicate a reduced risk of anterior capsular repair failure. An anisotropic hyperelastic material behavior was then incorporated to model the glenohumeral capsule by performing an inverse finite element analysis to obtain the optimized material parameters. The computer models developed in this research utilize radiographic patient images in order to replicate and investigate actual pathology. As a result, the studies performed provide a deeper understanding of the glenohumeral joint mechanics associated with the treatments of total shoulder arthroplasty and glenohumeral capsular plication. This information provides insight for the practicing shoulder surgeon in their pre-operative surgical planning to decide the optimal technique and approach for a patient with these challenging pathologies. Moreover, the methodologies developed for simulating these surgical techniques can have a wide application to advance the foundation of pre-surgical virtual simulation and provide critical data for computer aided surgical navigation of other joints and diseases.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of global disability. Surgical intervention in the form of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) has been established as an excellent treatment modality for people with OA who experience joint symptoms that have a substantial impact on their quality of life and are refractory to non-surgical treatment. In the 1970s the concept of implanting TKAs in mechanical alignment (MA) was developed as a compromise to confer mechanical advantage to the prosthesis, ignoring the patient's natural anatomy, to prevent early failure of the implant. Until now, this compromise has not been revisited. Satisfaction following TKA remains inferior to total hip arthroplasty. The cause of this dissatisfaction is not clear. Implant survival is no longer comparable to that of the early designs of TKA, and recent studies have suggested that deviation from neutral alignment does not have the detrimental effect on survivorship as previously thought. In an attempt to improve patient satisfaction following TKA a new technique has been developed whereby the prostheses are implanted in such a way as to recreate the alignment of the knee in the patient's pre-arthritic state. This has been termed natural or kinematic alignment (KA). This thesis examines the impact of KA in TKA with the primary hypothesis that TKA performed utilising KA would lead to improved functional outcome following surgery compared to that of MA. An initial single surgeon proof of concept case series of 25 patients was performed to look at the precision of new patient specific cutting blocks. The results suggested that the cutting blocks were accurate in producing the desired cuts. Following the proof of concept case series, a feasibility study was then performed comparing the new KA technique with the standard MA technique. The feasibility study familiarised the operating surgeons with the new technology in preparation for a Randomised Control Trial (RCT). A prospective blinded RCT was performed to compare the functional outcome of patients implanted with TKA in MA with that of KA. A total of 71 patients undergoing TKA were randomised to either MA (n=35) or KA (n=36). Preand post-operative hip knee ankle (HKA) radiographs were analysed. A number of patient reported outcome measures and functional tests were assessed pre-operatively, 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and at 1 year post-operation. The cutting guides were accurate. There were no statistically significant differences between the MA and KA groups at 1 year. A cohort of post-menopausal women with unilateral osteoarthritis treated with TKA utilising the KA philosophy had dual energy x-ray absorptiometry scans 1.5 years post-operatively using a modified validated densitometric analysis protocol, to assess peri-prosthetic Bone Mineral Density (BMD). The contralateral knee was scanned so that relative bone mineral density could be calculated. Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference in relative peri-prosthetic bone mineral density due to variation in implant position with respect to the Lateral Distal Femoral Angle (LDFA) and the Medial Proximal Tibial Angle (MPTA). There was a significant correlation with overall HKA angle and the relative BMD under the medial side of the tibial tray. KA TKAs appear to have comparable short-term results to MA TKAs with no significant differences in function 1 year post-operatively. Overall HKA angle rather than the individual component position caused change in relative BMD under the tibial tray, therefore aiming for an anatomical joint line may improve kinematics without a detrimental effect on the implant. Further research is required to see if any theoretical long-term functional benefits of KA are realised or if there are any potential effects on implant survival.

Introdução: As alterações anatômicas do fêmur proximal ou do acetábulo, como as decorrentes das sequelas da epifisiólise do fêmur proximal, da displasia do quadril da doença de Legg-Perthes-Calvé, podem levar ao desenvolvimento da artrose do quadril. No entanto, em torno de 80% dos indivíduos que desenvolvem essa doença têm uma anatomia óssea considerada normal. Ainda assim, surgiu a hipótese que alterações sutis do fêmur proximal ou do acetábulo, denominadas, respectivamente, cam e pincer, poderiam gerar um contato anormal entre essas estruturas ósseas, desencadear lesão condral e, como consequência, a artrose do quadril. Esse mecanismo foi denominado impacto fêmoro-acetabular. No entanto, a comprovação da relação entre o impacto e a artrose do quadril depende da uniformização dos critérios diagnósticos do cam e do pincer, ainda escassa e variável na literatura. Dessa forma, será possível a definição da prevalência e história natura do impacto fêmoro-acetabular e da sua relação com a artrose do quadril. Objetivo: Avaliar a prevalência do impacto fêmoro-acetabular tipo cam e tipo pincer em uma amostra de indivíduos assintomáticos. Pacientes e Métodos: Foram estudados 106 indivíduos assintomáticos (65 homens e 41 mulheres), com idade entre 20 e 40 anos. A condição determinante para a inclusão no estudo foi à ausência de história de dor no quadril ao longo da vida. Foram obtidas radiografias em ântero-posterior e Dünn 45°. A presença de cam foi determinada por um ângulo alfa, arbitrado, de 55° e a presença de pincer, quando observado o sinal da parede posterior e/ou o sinal de crossover. Resultados: Foi observada prevalência de cam de 29%; o sinal do crossover e da parede posterior ocorreram, respectivamente, em 20% e 29% dos indivíduos estudados. Pelo menos uma das imagens de impacto fêmoro-acetabular estava presente em 65% dos indivíduos da amostra. Conclusão: A prevalência encontrada das imagens de impacto fêmoro-acetabular (65%) está acima daquelas relatadas na literatura. É necessária a ampliação do estudo para confirmar os resultados encontrados e a realização de estudos prospectivos bem controlados para avaliar o papel do cam e do pincer no desenvolvimento da artrose do quadril. / Background: Anatomical abnormalities of the proximal femur or the acetabulum, such as those resulting from the consequences of slipped epiphyses of the proximal femur, the hip dysplasia of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, could lead to the development of hip osteoarthrosis. Nevertheless, around 80% of individuals who develop this condition have a bone anatomy considered normal. Still, the hypothesis arose that subtle alterations of the proximal femur or the acetabulum, called, respectively, cam and pincer, could generate an abnormal contact between these bony structures, triggering chondral lesion and as a consequence, arthritis of the hip. This mechanism has been named femoroacetabular impingement. Nevertheless, evidence of the relationship between the impact and osteoarthritis of the hip depends on the standardization of diagnostic criteria of cam and pincer, still scarce and variable in the literature. Thus it will be possible to define the prevalence and natural history of femoroacetabular impingement and its relationship with hip osteoarthrosis. Aim: To determine the prevalence of cam-type and pincer-type femoroacetabular impingements in asymptomatic subjects. Patients and Methods: Were studied 106 asymptomatic subjects (65 males and 41 females) aged between 20 and 40 years. The determining condition for inclusion in the study was the absence of history of hip pain throughout life. Radiographs were obtained in anteroposterior pelvic view and Dunn 45° view. The presence of cam was determined by an angle alpha, arbitrated, 55 ° and the presence of pincer when the observed the posterior wall and / or crossover signs. Results: A prevalence of 29% of cam, and 20% and 29% of crossover sign and posterior wall sign respectively was found. At least, one of those radiographic signs of femoroacetabular impingement was found in 65% (68) of the cases. Conclusion: In conclusion, the prevalence of images of femoroacetabular impingement (65%) is above those reported in the literature. Increase of the study is necessary to verify the results found, and the performance of well-controlled prospective studies to evaluate the role of the cam and pincer in the development of osteoarthritis of the hip.

A utilização de implantes cirúrgicos para artroplastia de quadril com prótese de recapeamento da cabeça femoral como substituto ósseo é um procedimento que tem sido realizado em 35% dos casos de Osteoartrose nos EUA. Entretanto, o atrito da broca e o aumento da temperatura durante a usinagem da cabeça femoral são responsáveis pelo possível aquecimento do tecido ósseo, podendo provocar a necrose óssea térmica. Neste sentido, o desenvolvimento de novos ferramentais e metodologias para minimizar os danos térmicos do atrito torna-se importante. Diante disso, o presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar se há a ocorrência de necrose óssea em um procedimento de furação óssea utilizando o dispositivo EQUITRON; Mod.ES 2200, desenvolvido no LTC-EESC-USP. Para tal, utilizamos 4 amostras de costela bovina removidas após a morte do animal, que foram furadas com broca de aço inoxidável (HSS-SKF), de 8 milímetros, sem irrigação externa. As amostras foram furadas com rotações de 100, 1000, 1200 e 2500 RPM, aferidas por tacômetro foto/contato digital da marca MINIPA, MDT-2238, e com avanço controlado de 80 mm/min (dispositivo da marca-EQUITRON; MOD.ES 2200; RPM 2800; Potência 0,30; Torque 1,6 Nm). Foram mensuradas as temperaturas iniciais da broca e da amostra e a final da amostra com termômetro digital, marca-MEDISANA®. Após a furação foram confeccionadas lâminas histológicas (HE) do tecido ósseo, preparadas de acordo com a metodologia apropriada, para posterior qualificação e quantificação da ocorrência de necrose óssea térmica através de imagens captadas por microscopia óptica (Olympus BX 41TF - Made Japan) utilizando-se o programa Motic Images Plus 2.0 para a captura das imagens. Os valores de temperaturas aferidos na amostra após a furação apresentaram relação positiva com a RPM utilizada, isto é, quanto maior a rotação, maior foi a temperatura observada. Apenas a amostra furada a 2500 RPM ultrapassou a temperatura de referencia para a gênese da osteonecrose térmica, que é de 47ºC. As análises histológicas apresentaram uma baixa predominância de células picnóticas e lacunas, sugerindo menor dano tecidual. Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo sugerem que o dispositivo (furadeira) desenvolvido no LTC-EESC-USP para a realização das furações nas amostras ósseas em testes de bancada foi eficiente em minimizar a ocorrência de necrose óssea térmica, até mesmo em condições de temperatura acima do limite fisiológico aceitável. / The utilization of surgical implants for hip arthroplasty with a resurfacing prosthesis of the femoral head as a bone substitute have been conducted in 35% of osteoarthrosis cases in the USA. However, the friction of the drill and the increase in the temperature during the machining of the femoral head can possibly heat the bony tissue and provoke a thermal bone necrosis. The development of new tools and methodologies for minimizing the thermal damage of the friction has become fundamental. The present study analyzes the occurrence of bone necrosis in a procedure of bone drilling that uses an EQUITRON device, Mod. ES 2200, developed at the LTC-EESC-USP. Four samples of bovine ribs removed after the death of the animal were used for the tests. They were drilled by an 8mm stainless-steel drill (HSS-SKF) with no external irrigation, at 100, 1000, 1200 and 2500 RPM calibrated by a MINIPA, MDT-2238 digital photo/contact tachometer and whose 80mm/min. advance (EQUITORN device; MOD.ES 2200; RPM 2800; 0.30 Potency and 1,6Nm torque) was controlled. The initial temperatures of the drill and the sample and the final temperature of the sample were measured by a MEDISANA digital thermometer. After drilling, histological blades (HE) were produced from the bony tissue and prepared according to the adequate methodology for further qualification and quantification of the occurrence of thermal bone necrosis through images captured by optical microscopy (Olympus BX 41TF - made in Japan) and Motic Images Plus 2.0 program. The values of the temperatures measured in the sample after drilling showed a positive relation with the RPM utilized, i.e., the faster the rotation, the higher the temperature. Only the sample drilled at 2500RPM exceeded the reference temperature (47ºC) for the genesis of the thermal osteonecrosis. The histological analyses revealed a low predominance of picnotic cells and gaps, which suggest minor tissue damage. The results show the device (drilling machine) developed at the LTC-EESC-USP for the drilling in the bone samples in workbench tests is efficient to minimize the occurrence of thermal bone necrosis, even at temperatures above the physiological acceptable limit.

Obesity is a severe concern worldwide and its prevalence is expected to continue to increase. Linked to diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and high blood pressure among other things, obesity has been identified as the forthcoming, largest preventable cause of mortality. Osteoarthritis, surgical consequences, distribution of subcutaneous adipose tissue, and alteration of joint biomechanics have vast implications in total joint repair (TJR). Previous studies have linked obesity to increased forces through weight-bearing lower extremities, alterations in gait, and risk of implant failure. The objectives of this study were to (1) provide a tool to predict lower extremity dimensions and shape variations of subcutaneous adipose tissue, (2) identify the degree to which obesity influences shape variation of the osseous anatomy of the knee joint, and (3) lay a foundation to compare the knee contact force of obese patients in activities of daily living. Long-leg EOS films were obtained, retrospectively over 5 years, from 232 patients that were being seen at the Adult Reconstruction Clinic at the University of Iowa. Using custom Matlab algorithms, measurements of soft tissue distribution and lower extremity osseous anatomy were obtained and analyzed. Additionally knee contact force measurements were obtained through motion capture analysis and modeling in Anybody Technology. Males and females had similar lower extremity shapes, with females having greater knee circumferences than males. The variability of PPT and PTT tended to be greater in females and increased with increasing BMI. Although similar in the anteroposterior direction, males tended to have on average 12mm wider proximal tibias in the mediolateral direction. Clinical observations of increased post-operative complications trend with these findings. The future of research into biomechanics of obesity will rely heavily on anatomic models of the obese lower extremities, which until this work did not exist.