Impact of Aging on Distal Tibia Metaphysis Diameter

One of the many bone changes that occur with aging is “cortical drift”, the absorption and deposition of bone on the endosteal and periosteal side, respectively, which results in bone enlargement in some but not all metaphyses. The distal tibia is one of the most fractured sites in the body and where anatomically shaped implants are mostly used. The economic viability of these implants depends on the maintenance of bone contour throughout life. MRI sagittal ankle images from 422 patients aged 18 to 100 years were analyzed and total distal tibia diameter measured. No correlation was observed between the parameters age and distal tibia diameter (Pearson-0.099), or when individuals were separated by sex (Pearson-0.021 for men and 0.049 for women). When separated by age, patients younger and older than 60 years old had a similar average height (1.65 and 1.62 m, respectively, student’s t- test = 0). This is the first study to evaluate possible age-related distal tibia enlargement. Bone changes with age do not result in distal tibia enlargement and possibly the majority of anatomically shaped bone implants are suitable irrespective of age.