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Updated: Jan 20, 2026

Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Published on: July 5, 2011
Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove Distance Influences Patellar Tilt After Total Knee Arthroplasty
Shinichiro Nakamura1, Koichiro Shima1, Shinichi Kuriyama1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kyoto University, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
Background:
Tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is associated with a greater risk of recurrent patellar dislocation in young, active patients. However, the effect of TT-TG distance after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) has not been investigated. The purpose is to analyze the effect of TT-TG distance and component rotation on patellar tilt and patellar shift after TKA.
Methods:
After TKA, axial computed tomography scans and axial radiograph were taken in 115 consecutive knees. TT-TG distance was measured between the most anterior point of the tibial tuberosity and the deepest point of the femoral component relative to a line connecting the anterior condyles. Femoral and tibial component rotation was measured relative to the femoral and tibial rotational axis, respectively. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated.
Results:
TT-TG distance had a significant correlation with patellar tilt in extension (R = 0.220, P = .018), patellar tilt in flexion (R = 0.438, P < .001), and patellar shift (R = 0.330, P < .001). Tibial component rotation had a significant correlation with patellar tilt in flexion (R = -0.251, P = .007) and patellar shift (R = -0.360, P < .001). Femoral component rotation had no significant correlations. Tibial component rotation had a significant correlation with TT-TG distance (R = -0.573, P < .001), whereas femoral component rotation had no correlation (P = .192).
Conclusion:
TT-TG distance had a significant correlation with patellar tilt and patellar shift. Surgeons need to understand the factors affecting TT-TG distance and to pay attention to avoiding excessive TT-TG distance after TKA.
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