The effect of coordinate system choice and segment reference on RSA-based knee translation measures

Roentgen stereophotogrammetric analysis (RSA) can be utilized to accurately describe joint kinematics, but even when measuring small displacements within radiographically discernible structures, standardized reference frames are imperative for useful comparison across patients and across studies. In the current paper, accurately controlled laboratory models demonstrated the considerable influence that a mere 1.9-cm offset of the origin of the coordinate system from the rotation axes could exert on translation measures when rotations were occurring. In addition, the use of two different coordinate systems to gauge translation on a radiographic anterior–posterior (A–P) knee laxity exam resulted in a significant correlation (R2=0.562) between the two systems; however, differences of up 9.28 mm were found between corresponding measurements. This implies that clinical conclusions can potentially be upheld or refuted, based on the same data set, subject to coordinate system definition. Although the data analyzed presently involved the knee joint, similar issues surround the RSA motion analysis of other joints as well.