FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to the field of medical science, and more particularly,
the present invention relates to a morphometric analysis of proximal end of the tibia.
BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION:
[002] The following discussion of the background to the invention is intended to facilitate
an understanding of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that the
discussion is not an acknowledgment or admission that any of the material referred to was
published, known, or part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction as of the
priority date of the application. The details provided herein the background if belongs to any
publication is taken only as a reference for describing the problems, in general terminologies
or principles or both of science and technology in the associated prior art.
[003] Total knee arthroplasty and unicompartmental knee arthroplasty are frequently done
procedures for the treatment of various forms of arthritis and knee injuries. The knee
prosthesis, which is used for these procedures, requires adequate sizing specific to the
population. Morphometric parameters of upper end of the tibia can be used to guide treatment
and monitor outcome of total knee replacement surgeries. Information regarding
morphometry of upper end of the tibia is important as it provides reliable method of assessing
knee deformity. This article assesses different morphometric parameters of condylar and
intercondylar surface of the tibia and to compile the results, analyze, and formulate a baseline
data for future studies with relevance to Indian population.
[004] The knee joint is a complex synovial joint which plays an important role in adjusting
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the center of body mass and posture, requiring a great range of movement in three dimensions
together with the ability to withstand high forces. It is essential for everyday activities such as
standing, walking, and climbing stairs and is also the main joint involved in running,
jumping, kicking, and changing directions. Interactions between the articular surfaces, the
passive stabilizers, and the muscles that cross the joint are responsible for maintaining range
of mobility and stability at the sametime.
[005] The proximal end of the tibia articulates with the distal end of the femur (tibiofemoral
articulation), this plays a key role in transmission of body weight from the femur above to the
talus below and is hence irreplaceable in day-to-day functioning.
[006] The knee joint is commonly affected by different forms of arthritis such as
inflammatory and posttraumatic arthritis among which osteoarthritis is the most common
pathological condition that may require interventional procedures such as total knee
arthroplasty (TKA) or unilateral knee arthroplasty (UKA).
[007] TKA is a precision surgery, that requires an accurate soft tissue balancing and
resection of bone thickness equal to the thickness of the prosthetic component implanted, so
that the flexion-extension spacing are equal. This would allow joint stability throughout the
range of motion. Selection of the prosthesis, accurate sizing, and proper placement of the
components determine the success of this procedure. The anteroposterior (AP) dimension of
the prosthesis is important in maintaining the flexion-extension spacing, while the
mediolateral length (ML) determines the adequate coverage of the resected bone surface, and
tension-free wound closure.[3] Maximal implant coverage on the resected bone surface
would reduce the stress applied to the bone implant interface which has been found to be a
factor contributing to long-term survivorship in TKA.[4] An insufficient tibial coverage can
lead to tibial implant collapse because of the load being transferred to the cancellous bone
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instead of the cortical bone.
[008] UKA has currently emerged as a favorable option for the treatment of
unicompartmental arthritis of the knee in elderly patients, more commonly involving the
medial compartment. This is so because osteoarthritis of the knee usually affects the medial
compartment of the tibiofemoral articulation and it may later involve the lateral compartment.[6] Advantages of UKA are shorter rehabilitation time, greater postoperative range of
motion, and preservation of the proprioceptive function of the cruciate ligaments over TKA.
However, studies have shown better outcome for TKA as compared with UKA.[7] Indians
and Chinese, as a part of the Asian subpopulation, have a smaller build and stature as
compared with the Western population. Since there is a large variability in the anthropometry
of different populations of the world, the prosthesis that are currently available in the market
are best suited for the Western and Caucasian population. In that case, it is quite likely that
ethnic groups such as Indians may be at risk of component oversizing in both UKA and TKA
with most of the commercially available prosthesis.
[009] There have been very few studies on the anthropometry of the proximal tibia in the
Indian population. Thus, we aimed to measure the various morphometric dimensions of
condylar and intercondylar areas of the proximal end of the tibia and the results obtained
from this study would provide valuable data on the average dimensions that would serve as
guidelines for designing a suitable tibial component of total knee prosthesis for the Indian
population.
[010] In the light of the foregoing, there is a need for a morphometric analysis of proximal
end of the tibiathat overcomes problems prevalent in the prior art.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
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[011] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein
satisfies, are as follows.
[012] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the
prior art by providing a morphometric analysis of proximal end of the tibia.
[013] An object of the present invention is to provide a morphometric analysis of proximal
end of the tibia that measures the various morphometric dimensions of condylar and
intercondylar areas of the proximal end of the tibia.
[014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a morphometric analysis of
proximal end of the tibia, wherein the results obtained from this study would provide
valuable data on the average dimensions that would serve as guidelines for designing a
suitable tibial component of total knee prosthesis for the Indian population.
[015] Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the
following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

[016] The present invention provides a morphometric analysis of proximal end of the tibia.
[017] According to one aspect of our invention, the study group comprised of 60 adult human dry and processed tibia of both sides which are grossly normal and complete, obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences.
[018] In another aspect of the invention, morphometric measurements of the medial condyle, lateral condyle, and intercondylar area of tibia were recorded with vernier calipers with a least count of 0.01 mm.
[019] In another aspect of the invention, the dimensions were summarized as mean ± standard deviation. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.
[020] In another aspect of the invention, mediolateral and anteroposterior length were 66.33 and 42.52 mm, respectively.
[021] In another aspect of the invention, anatomical profile of tibial condyle for Indians is smaller, hence highlighting the need for sizing of prosthesis specific to the population in question.

We Claim:

1) A morphometric analysis of proximal end of the tibia, the morphometric analysis study group comprised of 60 adult human dry and processed tibia of both sides which are grossly normal and complete.
2) The morphometric analysis as claimed in claim 1, whereinmorphometric measurements of the medial condyle, lateral condyle, and intercondylar area of tibia were recorded with vernier calipers with a least count of 0.01 mm.
3) The morphometric analysis as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe dimensions were summarized as mean ± standard deviation. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.
4) The morphometric analysis as claimed in claim 1, whereinmediolateral and anteroposterior length were 66.33 and 42.52 mm, respectively.
5) The morphometric analysis as claimed in claim 1, whereinanatomical profile of tibial condyle for Indians is smaller, hence highlighting the need for sizing of prosthesis specific to the population in question.