The importance of tibial alignment - Finite element analysis of tibial malalignment

The influence of the tibial plateau orientation on cancellous bone stress w as examined by finite element analysis for a cemented device. The objective s of the study were i) to examine the effect of the plateau-ankle angle on the cancellous bone stress, ii) to analyze the significance of the anteropo sterior angles of the tibial component on these stresses, and iii) to compa re the finite element predictions with clinical data. In general, positioni ng the tibial plateau in valgus resulted in lower cancellous bone stresses. These results support previous clinical studies, which suggest that overal l alignment in valgus results in lower migration rates and lower incidence of loosening.