title: The tibial sulcus as a reference point for total knee arthroplasty.
abstract: Determining the amount of tibial resection is an important aspect of knee arthroplasty. The tibial sulcus is a reference point that should be unaffected by degenerative processes. This study compared the tibial sulcus and plateau height for 50 arthritic knees to 50 normal knees on magnetic resonance imaging. The tibial sulcus measured 17.09 mm in arthritic knees and 17.88 mm in normal knees. Sulcus height differences were not statistically significant. Based on these findings, a tibial cut 12 to 14 mm from the sulcus is recommended as a reference point in arthritic knees. This measuring technique has application in limited incision knee arthroplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, New York Medical College, Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, New York, USA.
authors.forename: Daniel J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Kelmanovich
authors.forename: Scott L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Russinoff
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Maldjian
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lucas
authors.forename: Steven B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Zelicof
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D025321:Surgery, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult