Important Differences Exist in Posterior Condylar Offsets in an Osteological Collection of 1,058 Femurs

Posterior condylar offset (PCO) has important implications in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) function and design. In an osteological study of 1,058 femurs, we measured PCO using two separate techniques with a 3D digitizer. Measurements were standardized for the size of the femur. The medial PCO was greater than lateral PCO (32.6 mm vs. 31.2 mm, P < 0.0001). In 53% of individuals, the medial PCO differed between sides by more than 2 mm. Age did not affect standardized medial or lateral PCO. Compared with African-Americans, Caucasians had a larger standardized medial (1.3 mm vs. 1.2 mm, P = 0.006) and lateral (1.1 mm vs. 1.0 mm, P = 0.004) PCOs. The standardized medial (1.2 mm vs. 1.3 mm, P = 0.073), and lateral (1.1 mm vs. 1.1 mm, P = 0.098), PCO did not differ between men and women, respectively.