The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 23, Issue 4 , Pages 586-592, June 2008

Anatomical References to Assess the Posterior Tibial Slope in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Comparison of 5 Anatomical Axes

  • Jae Ho Yoo, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, National Police Hospital Seoul, South Korea
  • ,
  • Chong Bum Chang, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Joint Reconstruction Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyunggido, South Korea
    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • ,
  • Kwang Sook Shin, MS

      Affiliations

    • Joint Reconstruction Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyunggido, South Korea
  • ,
  • Sang Cheol Seong, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
  • ,
  • Tae Kyun Kim, MD, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Joint Reconstruction Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Gyunggido, South Korea
    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Tae Kyun Kim, MD, PhD, Joint Reconstruction Center, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, 300 Gumidong, Bundangu, Seongnamsi, Gyunggido 463-707, South Korea.

Received 5 January 2007; accepted 5 May 2007. published online 12 November 2007.

Abstract 

There has been no consensus on an ideal anatomical reference to determine the posterior slope of tibia plateau. Posterior slope of the medial tibia plateau was measured with reference to a proposed mechanical axis (MA) and 5clinically relevant anatomical references in 90 osteoarthritic knees of 66 female patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. The MA was defined as the line connecting the midpoints of the medial tibia plateau and the tibial plafond, and 5anatomical references included the anterior cortical line of tibia, anatomical axis of proximal and central tibia, posterior cortical line of proximal tibia, and fibular shaft axis. The average posterior slope was 10.6° with reference to the MA, and the amount of posterior slope varied widely among the patients and depending on the anatomical reference used to measure. This study indicates that the anatomical reference used to measure the posterior slope should be identified in studies where posterior slope is used to evaluate the sagittal alignment of total knee arthroplasty.

Key words: total knee arthroplasty, sagittal alignment, posterior slope, mechanical axis, anatomical reference

To access this article, please choose from the options below

Login to an existing account or Register a new account.

  • Purchase this article for 31.50 USD (You must login/register to purchase this article)

    Online access for 24 hours. The PDF version can be downloaded as your permanent record.

  • Subscribe to this title

    Get unlimited online access to this article and all other articles in this title 24/7 for one year.

  • Claim access now

    For current subscribers with Society Membership or Account Number.

  • Visit SciVerse ScienceDirect to see if you have access via your institution.
 

 No benefits or funds were received in support of the study.

PII: S0883-5403(07)00267-7

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2007.05.006

The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 23, Issue 4 , Pages 586-592, June 2008