Distal Tibial Articular Surface Angle in the Coronal Plane in Koreans

한국인의 관상면상 원위 경골 관절면 각의 측정

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to find out the normal distal tibial articular surface angle in coronal plane in Koreans. This would be helpful as the basic data for ankle reconstruction after trauma or deformity correction. Materials and Methods: Weight bearing anteroposterior radiographs of 123 normal ankles were reviewed. A line parallel to the shaft of the tibia was made. Another line was drawn parallel to the articular surface of the distal tibia. The superolateral angle that subtended by these two lines was measured. Results: There were 72 males and 51 females. The mean age overall was 35.7 years old. The mean age for males was 31.9 ($28{\sim}36$) years old. The mean age for females was 41.1 ($37{\sim}45$) years old. The mean distal tibial articular surface angle was $90.8^{\circ}$. The mean distal tibial articular surface angle for males was $91.5^{\circ}$ and for females $89.9^{\circ}$. Conclusion: The mean distal tibial articular surface angle in coronal plane for Koreans is $90.8^{\circ}$. We can avoid the error of the varization at the ankle alignment when the correction was performed vertical or minimal valgus to tibia tuberosity axis in Korean people.