A morphometric study of tibia and its nutrient foramen in South Indian population with its clinical implications

Abstract

Objective: The chief blood supply to long bones is through the nutrient arteries, which enter the bone through the nutrient foramina. This supply is important during early stages of ossification, and in various procedures like bone grafts and while doing surgeries for fracture after sports injury. The information of dimensions of tibia segments is vital for forensic experts in order to recognize unidentified bodies. Hence, this study was done to measure various dimensions of the tibia and to analyze the position and the number of nutrient foramina in tibia. Materials and Methods: Fifty adult fully ossified dry tibias were taken and various parameters of the proximal and distal end of both right and left tibia were measured using Vernier caliper to calculate cross-section index in middle, cnemicus index and length-thickness index, foramina index. The position and the number of nutrient foramina in the tibia were also noted down. Statistical analysis of the parameters was done. Results: In our study, the mean length of tibia, anteroposterior diameter at nutrient foramen, transverse diameter at nutrient foramen, length from intercondylar region to nutrient foramen and tibial circumference at nutrient foramen was 37.7, 3.22, 2.21, 13.11 and 8.33 cm. The mean length-thickness index, cross-section index, cnemicus index, and foramina index in our study was 22.08, 70.56, 68.63, and 34.75. Conclusion: The results of this study will be useful for forensic experts in order to identify unidentified bodies and orthopedic surgeons in cases of inserting different implants in the restoration of tibial fractures.