Comparative Study of Intramedullary and Extramedullary Alignment Systems for Proximal Tibial Resection in Total Knee Arthroplasty

Abstract

We compared the tibial component alignment of 40 total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) using an intramedullary alignment system (Group I) and 40 TKAs using an extramedullary alignment system (Group II) . Coronal alignment of the tibial component within 2° of the ideal angle was achieved in 90% of Group land in 70% of GroupII. In sagittal alignment, 90% of Group I and 73% of Group II fell within 2° of the ideal angle. Both of these differences between the two groups were statistically significant (p<0.05) . An intramedullary alignment system is recommended as the standard technique for proximal tibial resection.