J Korean Knee Soc.  2006 Jun;18(1):63-66.

The Position of Proximal Reference Point of Tibial Plateau to Prevent Varus Tibial Cutting in Total Knee Replacement : Prospective Randomized Study

• Han KY
• Nam WD
• Rhyu KH
• Kim KW

Abstract

PURPOSE
When there is a varus deformity in proximal tibia, the extension of a tibial shaft axis usually passes through the lateral intercondylar eminence. We performed prospective randomized study to find out whether the lateral eminence of tibia could be used as a reference point for proximal tibial cutting during total knee arthroplasty.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We randomly divided fifty patients who received TKR from April to December 2004 into two groups. For a proximal tibial cutting, we located the proximal tibial reference point at the center of intercondylar eminences for group I and at the lateral eminence for group II. Along with the clinical assessment, we measured the angles between the axis of the prostheses and both the mechanical and shaft axis of tibiae.
RESULTS
There were no differences in clinical results between two groups. The angles between the axis of the prostheses and the mechanical / shaft axis of tibiae were varus 2.14 / 2.22 degrees in group 1 and valgus 0.20 / 0.14 degrees in group 2(p=0.02, 0.01).
CONCLUSION
With moving the reference point laterally, we could prevent the varus tibial osteotomy and achieve more reliable alignment of the tibial component.

Keyword

Tibia; Lateral intercondylar eminence; Varus; Tibial osteotomy; Total knee arthroplasty

MeSH Terms

Arthroplasty
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee*
Axis, Cervical Vertebra
Congenital Abnormalities
Humans
Knee
Osteotomy
Prospective Studies
Prostheses and Implants
Tibia