Reliability and gender differences of internal skeletal dimensions using volumetric quantitative computed tomography

This study obtained internal skeletal dimensions of computed tomography (CT) tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) images that will be used to create skeletal based knee joint models. CT image data were acquired for knee joints of 10 subjects (4 males and 6 females). CT image data were converted to triangulated surface models using Materialize Mimics software then loaded into Geomagic Studio software for acquisition of tibial and femoral skeletal landmark location coordinates from which internal skeletal dimensions were obtained. A total of 28 skeletal landmark location coordinates were identified from which 28 internal skeletal dimensions were measured. Intertester and intratester reliability analyses were performed for the internal skeletal dimensions. Then internal skeletal dimensions were compared between male and female subjects. For all 28 internal skeletal dimensions intratester reliability coefficients ranged from 0.877 to 0.999. Six of the 28 internal skeletal dimensions were significantly smaller in females. Intratester reliability was excellent but intertester reliability was only fair. These results support continuation of this research.