Analysis of the running position of the popliteal artery and branching level of the anterior tibial artery detected by magnetic resonance imaging to avoid vessel injury during surgery around the knee joint

BACKGROUND: Vessel injuries during total knee arthroplasty or high tibial osteotomy are rare but have serious complications. This study aimed to analyze the running position of the popliteal artery (PA) and branching level of the anterior tibial artery (ATA), using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This analysis might be helpful in avoiding unnecessary vessel injury. METHODS: In total, 105 patients (41 men and 64 women), whose running position of the PA and branching level of the ATA could be detected by preoperative MRI, were included in this study. We configured zones A, B, C, and D to be 5–10, 15–20, 25–30 and 35–40 mm distal from the lateral tibial plateau in the axial view, respectively. First, the distance between the posterior cortex of the tibia and anterior border of the PA was measured. Second, the PA position from the medial border of the tibia was measured. This measured value was divided by the transverse diameter of the tibia, and multiplied by 100 to obtain the PA position from the medial border of the tibia. Third, the branching level of ATA was measured from the joint line. Subsequently, each value was compared between men (the M group) and women (the W group). RESULTS: The distance between the posterior cortex of the tibia and the anterior border of the PA was 5.5 ± 1.9, 10.4 ± 2.4, 12.5 ± 2.3 and 12.5 ± 2.3 (mm; mean ± SD) in zones A, B, C, and D, respectively. Comparing both groups, this distance was significantly larger (more separated posteriorly) in zones C and D in the M group. The PA position from the medial border of the tibia was 51.7 ± 6.5, 52.7 ± 8.2, 56.7 ± 10.5 and 66.8 ± 14 (%; mean ± SD) in zones A, B, C, and D, respectively. On comparing the two groups, this position was significantly larger (more laterally shifted) in zone D in the W group. The branching level of the ATA was not detected within 40 mm distal to the joint line in 92 patients (87.6%). However, it was detected within 40 mm (mean 32.5 mm; range 20–38) in 12 patients (11.4%). Among them, 11 were women. Only one woman had an aberrant branching pattern: the ATA bifurcated at the joint level. CONCLUSION: The PA positioned closest at the joint level, gradually separated and shifted laterally towards the distal side. The distance between the posterior cortex of the tibia and the anterior border of the PA was closer in women than in men in zones C and D. Although a difference of 2 mm is small, the risk of PA injury can be considered to be higher in women than in men. Furthermore, ATA injury is also a concern during retraction of the tibialis anterior muscle posteriorly, and the descending cut of the tibial tuberosity, particularly in women.