Do age, gender, and region affect tibial slope? A multi-center study

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Radiology
• Anatomy

Background:

• Posterior tibial slope is a critical parameter in knee biomechanics and surgical planning.
• Existing literature shows considerable variability in reported posterior tibial slope values.
• This study investigates the influence of age, gender, and geographic region on tibial slope.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effect of age, gender, and region on native posterior tibial slope.
• To provide population-specific data on tibial slope variations.
• To enhance understanding of knee kinematics and surgical considerations.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 1800 lateral knee radiographies from five countries (Turkey, Germany, Italy, Spain, UK).
• Participants aged 40-79 were categorized into four age groups (40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79).
• Exclusion criteria included severe knee osteoarthritis, prior knee surgery, and severe obesity.

Main Results:

• Turkish populations showed significantly higher tibial slope values compared to other studied regions.
• Tibial slope generally increased with age in females across most populations, except Spain and UK.
• Tibial slope increased with age in males in all populations except Spain.

Conclusions:

• Tibial slope is demonstrably influenced by geographic region, age, and gender.
• Regional living conditions and demographics play a role in shaping tibial slope.
• Findings highlight the importance of considering these factors in knee surgery and biomechanical analysis.