Morphometric study of the knee joint in Saudi Arabian population based on magnetic resonance imaging scan

Introduction: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is considered a highly recommended procedure, to improve the life of patients suffering from knee arthritis by relieving pain and deformity. Knee morphology and anthropomorphic features have evolved as the most reliable source of information to design TKA prostheses. But unfortunately, the amorphic features of Western patients are the preferred choice of data for the development of suitable implants. This study is conducted for commencing to evaluate the geometric parameters of the knee joints of Saudi Arabian male and female subjects which is indispensable to the design of knee prosthesis used for compatriotic patients. Material and Methods: A total of 13 parameters of tibia and femur were studied in a group of 150 normal subjects including 110 females and 40 males. A subsequent magnetic resonance imaging scan was done for all the studied cases and a reproducible result was obtained. Results: The Saudi females were found to have smaller dimensions of parameters of tibia and femur than those in Saudi males. The results when compared with other reports from different countries, we find marked difference in their dimensions. Discussion and Conclusion: Our study suggests that there exists a morphological mismatch between the knee anatomy of people of Saudi Arabia and people of other countries. Implantation of such implants prepared on the basis of outsider data could not justified to use in the Saudi population.