Relative Sagittal Alignment of the Medial and Lateral Articular Surfaces of the Tibial Plateau Using Radiographic Parameters: A Radiographic Cadaveric Study

Objectives: To characterize anatomic slope (sagittal alignment) of medial and lateral articular surfaces of the tibial plateau using x-ray and computed tomography (CT). Methods: Fluoroscopy was used to acquire “perfect” anteroposterior (AP) images of 8 cadaveric knees by tilting a C-arm through a 30-degree cranial/caudal arc in 0.5-degree increments. Five surgeons independently selected perfect AP images that most accurately profiled medial and lateral articular surfaces. Corresponding angles were used to define tangent subchondral structures on sagittal CT that were considered as dominant bony landmarks in a protocol to determine tibial slope on sagittal CT in 46 additional cadaveric knees. Results: Mean perfect C-arm AP angles were 4.2 degrees ± 2.6 degrees posterior for the medial plateau and 5.0 degrees ± 3.8 degrees posterior for the lateral plateau. It was noted that images acquired within a range of angles (medial range, 1.8 degrees ± 0.7 degrees; lateral range, 3.9 degrees ± 3.8 degrees) rather than a single angle adequately profiled each compartment. Using the CT protocol, mean medial slope (5.2 degrees ± 2.3 degrees posterior; range, 0.9–11.5 degrees) was less than lateral slope (7.5 degrees ± 3.0 degrees posterior; range 0.6–12.5 degrees; P
Source: Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma - Category: Orthopaedics Tags: Original Article Source Type: research