Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41348186›Full record

ReviewOrthopadie (Heidelberg, Germany)2026

[The posterior tibial slope as an intrinsic risk factor : Biomechanical principles, diagnostic challenges, and sagittal correction-A literature review].

Kai von Schwarzenberg, Luis Göker, Tamara Babasiz, Julius Klaßen, Till Rosenkranz, Peer Eysel, Jörgen Hoffmann

Erratum issuedAbstract readEnglish AbstractReview
In one paragraph

Review in Orthopadie (Heidelberg, Germany), 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

  • Erratum issued
    2026
5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Kai von SchwarzenbergMedizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Köln, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 24, 50931, Köln, Deutschland. kai.von-schwarzenberg@uk-koeln.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0742-0791
Luis GökerMedizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Köln, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 24, 50931, Köln, Deutschland.
Tamara BabasizMedizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Köln, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 24, 50931, Köln, Deutschland.
Julius KlaßenMedizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Köln, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 24, 50931, Köln, Deutschland.
Till RosenkranzMedizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Köln, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 24, 50931, Köln, Deutschland.
Peer EyselMedizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Köln, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 24, 50931, Köln, Deutschland.
Jörgen HoffmannMedizinische Fakultät und Universitätsklinikum Köln, Klinik und Poliklinik für Orthopädie, Unfallchirurgie und Plastische Chirurgie, Universität zu Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Straße 24, 50931, Köln, Deutschland.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe posterior tibial slope (PTS) is the inclination of the tibial plateau in the sagittal plane and is an important factor for knee joint biomechanics. A normal PTS lies between 6 and 12°. Deviations, such as a steeper slope (> 12°) or a flatter slope (< 5°), are associated with characteristic biomechanical changes.

objectiveThis paper addresses the clinical significance of sagittal alignment and its effects on the risk of injury to cruciate ligaments, menisci, and cartilage. Furthermore, common radiological measurement methods and surgical corrections for pathological PTS values are investigated. MATERIAL AND

methodsThe work summarizes findings from numerous biomechanical and clinical studies. The radiological determination of the PTS, as well as the surgical correction options, are presented in detail.

resultsAn increased PTS is a significant risk factor for ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) ruptures and graft failure after reconstruction. A value of > 12° has emerged as a statistical threshold in many studies, above which the risk increases significantly. Increased slope values are also associated with an elevated risk of meniscal root and ramp lesions. The evidence for an association with cartilage damage is still low. Conversely, a flatter slope (< 5°) increases the risk for PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) ruptures and re-ruptures. The correction of the PTS through a closed-wedge osteotomy is frequently discussed in the literature for values > 12° and appears to reduce the risk of a renewed ACL rupture. DISCUSSION: The strong correlation between sagittal alignment and ligament instability underscores the central importance of the PTS in knee joint biomechanics. Consequently, PTS must be systematically included in the diagnostic workup as a primary risk factor. In cases of ACL or PCL graft failure combined with a pathological slope, operative correction should be discussed as a causal therapeutic option to minimize graft strain. However, high-quality prospective studies are necessary to conclusively prove the long-term superiority of this combined approach.

Indexed as

Knee InjuriesTibiaAnterior Cruciate Ligament InjuriesBiomechanical PhenomenaHumansRisk FactorsACL injuriesBiomechanicsKnee jointMeniscusOsteotomy

Identifiers

PMID41348186
PMCPMC13427835

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.