Gh. Westrich et al., RESECTION SPECIMEN ANALYSIS OF PROXIMAL TIBIAL ANATOMY BASED ON 100 TOTAL KNEE ARTHROPLASTY SPECIMENS, The Journal of arthroplasty, 10(1), 1995, pp. 47-51
Although it is known that there is some asymmetry of the tibial platea
u, most total knee arthroplasty designs currently have a symmetric tib
ial component. Using resection specimen analysis of the tibial plateau
from 100 total knee arthroplasty specimens, the authors have examined
the tibial plateau to further delineate, quantitatively, the medial a
nd lateral tibial configuration. Unmagnified radiographs of each of th
e specimens were produced. A line was drawn along the mediolateral axi
s. The midpoint and points 10, 20, and 30% from the medial and lateral
peripheries were then calculated. The average anteroposterior medial
10, 20, and 30% dimensions were 3.79, 4.74, and 5.06 cm, respectively.
The average anteroposterior lateral 10, 20, and 30% dimensions were 3
.48, 4.10, and 4.16 cm, respectively. The ratios of the lateral/medial
anteroposterior distances at 1O, 20, and 30% from the periphery were
92.10, 86.77, and 82.46%, respectively. A total knee arthroplasty syst
em that recognizes the difference in the medial and lateral tibial pla
teaus and designs a prosthesis to account for the smaller, lateral tib
ial plateau may achieve the goal of maximizing tibial coverage as well
as eliminate the problems associated with a symmetric design.