A novel anteroposterior axis of the tibia for total knee arthroplasty: An upright weight-bearing computed tomography analysis

Ryo Sasaki, Yasuo Niki, Kazuya Kaneda, Yoshitake Yamada, Takeo Nagura, Masaya Nakamura, Masahiro Jinzaki

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: The traditional anteroposterior (AP) axis (i.e., Akagi's line) has been widely used as the tibial component AP axis during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, this AP axis has been defined based on computed tomography (CT) in a non-weight-bearing supine position. In this study, AP axes of the tibial plateau from upright CT in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing positions were determined and compared. Methods: This study included 43 knees from 23 healthy volunteers. CT images were obtained in weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing standing positions using a 320-detector row upright CT scanner. The line perpendicular to surgical transepicondylar axis projected onto the tibia plateau was determined as the AP axis in upright weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions. Angular differences between these two conditions were measured. Results: The upright weight-bearing AP axis was positioned in a mean of 7.4 ± 4.3° of internal rotation relative to the traditional AP axis. Distance between the traditional and upright weight-bearing AP axis was 2.9 ± 1.6 mm at the edge of the tibial plateau. The upright non-weight-bearing AP axis was positioned in a mean of 3.5 ± 4.1° of internal rotation relative to the traditional AP axis. Mean angular difference between weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing conditions was 3.9 ± 4.1°. Conclusions: The upright weight-bearing AP axis was positioned in 7.4° of internal rotation relative to the traditional AP axis, showing one-seventh of the tibial tuberosity away from the medial border of the tibial tubercle, which represents a practical landmark for the tibial component AP axis during TKA.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)80-86
Number of pages7
JournalKnee
Volume36
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06-2022
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Orthopedics and Sports Medicine

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