Determining the rotational alignment of the tibial component referring to the tibial tubercle during total knee arthroplasty: the tibial tubercle–trochlear groove can be an aid

Background There is no consensus on anatomic landmarks or reference axes with which to accurately align rotational position of tibial component. Using the tibial tubercle, commonly referring to the Akagi line and the Insall line, for anatomic reference was widely accepted. However, it is unknown about the predictors that may affect the reliability of using the tibial tubercle for aligning tibial component rotation. The aims of our study were (1) to investigate the reproducibility and accuracy of using the tibial tubercle for aligning tibial component rotation and (2) to determine predictors resulting in discrepancies of the tibial component rotation when referring to the tibial tubercle. Method A total of 160 patients with osteoarthritis were recruited before total knee arthroplasty. The angle α formed by the tibial anteroposterior (AP) axis and the Akagi line and the angle β formed by the tibial AP axis and the Insall line were measured to quantify the discrepancies of the Akagi line and the Insall line. Independent variables, including the tibial tubercle-to-trochlear groove distance (TT-TG), tibial tubercle to posterior cruciate ligament (TT-PCL), and knee rotation angle (KRA), hip–knee–ankle angle (HKA), medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and tibial bowing (TB), were measured. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression analysis were calculated to assess relationships between independent variables and the two defined angles. Results All defined measurement were available for 140 patients. The Akagi line rotated internally with 1.03° ± 4.25° in regard to the tibial AP axis. The Insall line rotated externally in regard to the tibial AP axis with 7.93° ± 5.36°. Three variables, including TT-TG, TT-PCL, and KRA, tended to be positively correlated with the angle α and the angle β . In terms of a cutoff of TT-TG = 9 mm, 100% cases and 97% cases for using the Akagi line and Insall line, respectively, were located in the defined safe zone (− 5° to 10°). Conclusion The tibial tubercle (the Akagi line and Insall line) is found to be a useful and promising anatomic landmark for aligning the tibial component rotation. The TT-TG, with a cutoff value of 9 mm, is helpful to choose the Akagi line or Insall line, alternatively.