Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026
In Vitro Application of a Wireless Sensor in Flexion-Extension Gap Balance of Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty
Published on: May 5, 2023
Comparison of tibial bone coverage of 6 knee prostheses: a magnetic resonance imaging study with controlled rotation
Gregory C Wernecke1, Ian A Harris, Michael T W Houang
1Sydney Knee Specialists, Edgecliff, NSW, Australia. dr4734@hotmail.com
Purpose:
To compare the extent of tibial bone covered by the tibial tray in 6 most commonly used total knee arthroplasty designs in order to strike a balance between mediolateral cortical fit and optimal tibial component rotation.
Methods:
In 74 men and 27 women aged 17 to 60 (mean, 32) years with suspected soft-tissue injuries, their magnetic resonance images of the knee in full extension were superimposed with scans of the tibial trays of the 6 designs (one asymmetric and 5 symmetric). The tibial coverage by the tray and any posterolateral/posteromedial overhang/underhang were measured.
Results:
All 6 tray designs achieved tibial bone coverage of over 80%. Only 28% of all trays achieved optimal posterolateral fit, whereas 49% had posterolateral overhang enough to cause popliteal tendon impingement. Although the asymmetric tray provided highest tibial coverage (88%), its rates of relative and absolute posterolateral and posteromedial overhang were also highest (64%).
Conclusion:
The asymmetric tray provided improved tibial coverage at the expense of posterolateral and posteromedial overhang of the tibial tray.