Determination of tibial torsion by computed tomography.

Abstract

Torsional malalignment of the lower extremity, especially during childhood, is a common concern and even an anxiety to the parents. Torsional deformity may be seen at one or more sites, and tibial torsion is a frequent cause of this problem. Medial femoral torsion and metatarsus adductus also affects the alignment of the extremity. Although a corrective osteotomy for tibial torsion is performed very rarely, the precise determination is mandatory. Tibial torsion and the torsion of the leg was measured in 25 adults by computed tomography. The inclination between the dorsal tangent to the tibial condyles and the distal reference line was considered as tibial torsion. The distal reference line was formed with intersection of centers of medial and lateral malleoli. While measuring the torsion of the leg, tangent dorsal to the femoral condyles was used for proximal reference line. In the females, the average of tibial torsion was 31.07 degrees for the right side and 30.02 degrees for the left. For the males, the averages were 32.7 and 35.26 degrees for the right and left sides, respectively.