Correlation between tibial component rotation and function after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty:a systematic review and Meta-analysis

GAO Guang-han; YE Zi-chen; ZHANG Yao-nan; SHI Lei; WANG Lin; WANG Fei; XUE Qing-yun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-252X.2025.07.013

Abstract：Objective To investigate the correlation between tibial component rotation and function after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA).Methods Two researchers independently conducted a literature search using Embase,PubMed,and the Cochrane Library for Systematic Reviews on March 20,2023.Subsequently,they independently screened all records based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria.The quality of the literature was assessed using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology(STROBE)statement.The correlation coefficient between the tibial component rotation angle and knee joint function scores was extracted from the included studies,and Fisher's Z transformation was applied for data conversion.A meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4 software.Results A total of eight original studies were identified.These studies were categorized based on whether they discussed internal or external rotation separately.The results indicated that in studies including both internal and external rotation of the tibial component,no statistically significant correlation was found between rotation and function(r=-0.06;95%CI:-0.18-0.07;P=0.37).Similarly,in studies discussing only the external rotation of the tibial component,no significant correlation was found between tibial component external rotation and postoperative function(r=0.04;95%CI:-0.04-0.12;P=0.34).Additionally,four studies analyzed the tibial component internal rotational angle relative to the femoral component(TIR angle).In studies including both TIR internal and external rotation,an increase in TIR external rotation was weakly positively correlated with postoperative function(r=0.19;95%CI:0.05-0.33;P=0.02).However,in studies that only included TIR external rotation,an increase in TIR external rotation was significantly negatively correlated with postoperative function(r=-0.54;95%CI:-0.59-0.48;P<0.001).Conclusions There is no correlation between tibial component rotation and short-term function.However,a correlation is observed between the TIR angle and short-term function after UKA.