During Implant Planning, which tibial landmark is used to determine resection depth?

• A. The most anterior point of the tibial condyle.
• B. The most posterior tibial condyle.
• C. The intercondylar eminence ridge.
• D. The most concave part of the tibial plateau.

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that tibial resection depth is guided by the deepest part of the joint surface. In implant planning, using the most concave portion of the tibial plateau as the reference ensures you remove the right amount of bone to create a flat, even surface for the tibial component to seat on, while preserving the natural contour and alignment of the knee. The other landmarks—the most anterior or posterior points of the condyles or the intercondylar ridge—don’t reflect the depth of the articular surface where the implant sits, so they’re not as reliable for determining how much bone to resect. By anchoring to the deepest, most concave area, you avoid leaving recessed areas under the component and maintain proper coverage and mechanical balance.