Clinical Importance of Proximal Tibia in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

The tibia is a thick and strong bone located medial to the leg. It is the longest bone in the bodyafter the os femoris, supporting the body weight and transferring this weight to the talus via the ankle jointvia the os femoris. It has two ends and a body. It articulates with the femur, fibula and talus. Total kneearthroplasty is used as an important treatment option in cases where conservative treatment options are noteffective or in advanced degenerative disorders. The need for total knee arthroplasty surgery is increasingwith advancing age. The general aim of total knee arthroplasty is to correct deformities, restore the functionof the knee joint and relieve long-term pain. Thus, it helps both psychological and physical recovery byimproving the patient's quality of life. Success of surgical intervention depends on the surgeon's experienceand knowledge of the anatomy of the proximal tibia. Appropriate tibial implants will ensure the longevityof the knee prosthesis and rapid movement of the patient. Anthropometric data must be accurate and reliablein order to use the implant in a healthy way for many years. Differences between age, gender and race areclinically important in determining the dimensions of inserted prosthetic components. Defining themorphologic and morphometric properties of the proximal tibia will be useful in improving prosthesis fit,manufacturing and application. Morphometric studies on the proximal tibia in the Turkish population arescarce and these studies will significantly contribute to the design of the tibial component of the total kneeprosthesis.