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Evaluation of the rotational alignment of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty: position prioritizing maximum coverage

European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology volume 27, pages 119–124 (2017)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

The standard for rotational alignment of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) remains unclear. Cases often require positioning of the tibial component, prioritizing adequate coverage of resected bone surface rather than alignment with the tibial rotational axis. We investigated tibial component position in TKA, prioritizing maximum coverage of resected bone surface, and evaluated the correlation with the tibial anteroposterior (AP) axis.

Methods

We analyzed preoperative computed tomography images for primary TKA in 106 cases and 157 knees, using three-dimensional planning software. Tibial component position prioritizing maximum coverage of resected bone surface was simulated, and results were compared with the AP axis. Rotational alignment angle was defined as that between a line perpendicular to the tibial AP axis and a line connecting the posterior edge of the tibial component.

Results

The simulated tibial component was more externally rotated by a mean 4.5° ± 4.2°. The alignment angle showed normal distribution, but variability was large, ranging from 5.1° internal rotation to 16.2° external rotation. In 138 of 157 (87.9 %) knees, the tibial component was positioned in the externally rotated position with respect to the AP axis. The tibial component was aligned within the medial one-third of the patellar tendon in 122 of 157 (77.7 %) knees.

Conclusions

The tibial component aligned using coverage prioritizing was externally rotated, although large variability was observed. Rotational alignment was optimal in 79 % of cases when the tibial component was aligned with coverage prioritizing, but hyperexternal rotation was observed in patients with severe knee deformation.

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, 1-1 Idaigaoka, Hasama-machi, Yufu-shi, Oita, 879-5593, Japan

    Masashi Hirakawa, Masashi Miyazaki, Shinichi Ikeda, Yoshiki Matsumoto & Hiroshi Tsumura

  2. Center for Joint Replacement Surgery, Kishigawa Rehabilitation Hospital, Wakayama, Japan

    Makoto Kondo

Authors
  1. Masashi Hirakawa
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  2. Masashi Miyazaki
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  3. Shinichi Ikeda
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  4. Yoshiki Matsumoto
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  5. Makoto Kondo
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  6. Hiroshi Tsumura
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Masashi Miyazaki.

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Each author certifies that he or she, or a member of their immediate family, has no commercial associations (e.g., consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Ethical standard

The local institutional review board approved this study. All patients provided informed consent.

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Cite this article

Hirakawa, M., Miyazaki, M., Ikeda, S. et al. Evaluation of the rotational alignment of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty: position prioritizing maximum coverage. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 27, 119–124 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-016-1850-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-016-1850-3

Keywords

  • Total knee arthroplasty
  • Rotational alignment
  • Tibial component
  • Computed tomography