Radiologic analysis of the tibial intramedullary canal in Chinese varus knees - Implications in total knee arthroplasty

Seventy-two lower limb long radiographs were reviewed with respect to rnechanical and anatomic axes. A template of an intramedullary tibial guide rod was employed to determine the accuracy of the intramedullary guide in producing ideal tibial cuts (ie, 90 degrees) and acceptable tibial cuts (ie. 90 degrees +/- 2 degrees). The mean difference of the angle formed by the 2 axes was 1.84 degrees +/- 1.42 degrees. In our findings, 22.2% of patients would have unacceptable cuts if an intramedullary device were employed for the tibial cut during a tc,tal knee arthroplasty. A radiograph showing the whole tibia is required preoperatively to identify varus tibiae that are nor suitable for the intramedullary method.