A Cross Sectional Study to Assess Morphometry of Upper End of 80 Cadaveric Tibiae in a Tertiary Care Centre of Central India

Abstract

BACKGROUND Osteoarthritis of knee joint is one of the major health problems, due to the evolution of erect posture. Upper weight bearing end of tibia is most vulnerable to damage in such patients. Total knee arthroplasty and unicompartmental arthroplasty are the most frequently done procedures, which require the use of adequate knee prosthesis. So, the present study was focused at providing morphometric data of upper articular end of tibia for designing the tibial component of prosthesis. METHODS The present study has been conducted in SAMC & PGI, Indore in the Department of Anatomy. 80 dry tibia bones were studied, of which 33 were right sided and 47 were left sided. Maximum anteroposterior (AP) length and width of upper surface of medial and lateral condyles and intercondylar area were measured with digital vernier caliper. RESULTS The average anteroposterior diameter was found to be greater than the transverse diameter for both the condyles and the intercondylar area, irrespective of side. Furthermore, the anteroposterior diameter and the transverse diameter of medial condyle was more than that of lateral condyle on both the sides. In intercondylar area, the anteroposterior diameter was found to be more on right side while transverse diameter was more on left side. CONCLUSIONS The present study demonstrates the accurate complete comparative measurements of all the parameters of upper surface of medial and lateral condyles and intercondylar area. The morphometric data obtained will provide guidelines for designing tibial component of knee prosthesis in central Indian population. Apart from clinical significance, the study has anthropological and medicolegal importance as well. KEYWORDS Morphometry, Upper End of Tibia, Knee Joint