The accuracy of the Cartier tibial guide in knee arthroplasty.

The authors reviewed, radiologically, the postoperative position of tibial component in 51 knee arthroplasties performed between 1987 and 1989 with Cartier's extramedullary tibial guide. The results compared favourably with those of other studies. A variation of 1.9 degrees on anteroposterior roentgenograms and 2.4 degrees on lateral roentgenograms was obtained by five orthopedic surgeons, suggesting that, for knee arthroplasties, the guide of Cartier is a useful tool and produces reliable results.