Morphological measurements of the posterior surface of the normal proximal tibia in a healthy Chinese population

Abstract

Background: To measure and calculate the morphological parameters and determine the anatomical characteristics of the posterior surface of the proximal tibia in a healthy Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 150 volunteers with normal knees were enrolled. The parameters in the multi-slice spiral computed tomography (MSCT) three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction images were measured and calculated by two independent qualified observers. The differences and correlation were investigated. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to assess inter-observer reliability.

Results: The posterior margin of the tibial plateau is presented as two superior arc-shapes. The central angles of these arcs were 118°±14° (medial) and 106°±20° (lateral). The radii of these arcs both showed a skewed distribution. The median radii of the arcs were 22 mm in the medial and 20mm in the lateral. There were two significant angles present in the sagittal plane of the posterior cortex of the proximal tibia. The first angles were 39°±7° (medial) and 47°±7° (lateral). The second angles were 39°±4° (medial) and 41°±5° (lateral). Significant differences were observed in the central angles and the first angles but not in the second angles between the medial and lateral. There were no significant differences between different gender groups, and between left and right limbs. All of these parameters exhibited excellent to moderate ICC.

Conclusion: Due to the varying anatomic morphology between the postero-medial and postero-lateral surface of the proximal tibia, the internal fixation implants of these two parts should be designed differently.

Keywords: Coordinate system; Imaging; Morphological measurement; Posterior surface; Proximal tibia.