Radiologic analysis of the tibial intramedullary canal in Chinese varus knees - Implications in total knee arthroplasty

Seventy-two lower limb long radiographs were reviewed with respect to rnech anical and anatomic axes. A template of an intramedullary tibial guide rod was employed to determine the accuracy of the intramedullary guide in produ cing ideal tibial cuts (ie, 90 degrees) and acceptable tibial cuts (ie. 90 degrees +/- 2 degrees). The mean difference of the angle formed by the 2 ax es was 1.84 degrees +/- 1.42 degrees. In our findings, 22.2% of patients wo uld have unacceptable cuts if an intramedullary device were employed for th e tibial cut during a tc,tal knee arthroplasty. A radiograph showing the wh ole tibia is required preoperatively to identify varus tibiae that are nor suitable for the intramedullary method.