Analysis of anatomic periarticular tibial plate fit on normal adults

Implant manufacturers are producing anatomically contoured periarticular plates to improve the treatment of proximal tibia fractures. We assessed the accuracy of the designation anatomic. We applied eight-hole medial and lateral anatomically contoured periarticular plates to 101 cadaveric tibiae. The tibiae and the plate fits were mapped, quantified, and analyzed using a MicroScribe G2LX digitizer, Rhinoceros software, and MATLAB software. By corresponding the clinical appearance of good fit with our digital findings, we created numerical criteria for plate fit in three planes: coronal (volume of free space between the plate and bone), sagittal (alignment with the tibial plateau and shaft), and axial (match in curvature between the proximal horizontal part of the plate and the tibial plateau). An anatomic fit should mirror the shape of the tibia in all three planes, and only four medial and four lateral plate fits qualified. Recognizing and understanding the substantial variations in fit that exist between anatomically contoured plates and the tibia may help lead to a more stable fixation and prevent malreduction of the fracture and/or soft tissue impingement.