ABSTRACT:
Introduction:Morphometric parameters of upper end of tibia can be used to guide treatment and monitor outcome of total knee replacement surgeries. Gerdy’s tubercle is a triangular facet situated on the anterolateral side of the lateral condyle of proximal end of tibia. It serves as a critical landmark in most of the surgical approaches to the proximal tibia and distal femur. Aim of the study is to evaluate and analyze the size, shape, prominence and localization of Gerdy’s tubercle in dry tibial bones. Material and Methods: In the present study a total of 50 dry human tibial bones were obtained from the Department of Anatomy, Saveetha Dental College and Hospitals and from Madras Medical College, Chennai and evaluated. The size, shape, prominence and localization of Gerdy’s tubercle were evaluated. With the help of Vernier caliper and ruler the diameter and localization of the tubercle was measured. Shape and prominence of the tubercle was observed morphologically. All observations were noted, tabulated, evaluated and represented graphically. Results: The mean diameter of Gerdy’s tubercle on left tibia was 13.1mm ± 2.45 and 12.20mm ± 1.87 on right tibia. The shape of the Gerdy’s tubercle on left tibia was found to be triangular in 70% and oval in 30%. On right side the shape was triangular in 60%, oval in 20% and irregular in 20%. The surface prominence of Gerdy’s tubercle on left tibia was rough in 30%, smooth 70% and 40% rough, 60% smooth on right side. For localization the distance from the tip of the Tibial tuberosity to the tip of the Gerdy’s tubercle was measured and found to be 55.90mm ± 6.34 on left side and 57.60mm ± 5.89 on right side. Conclusion: The present study furnishes morphological and morphometrical information on South Indian tibial bones, providing an anatomical baseline to correlate anatomical findings with surgical and radiological presentations. Apart from being of morphological and morphometric interest these variations may be useful even for clinical interests.