The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Vol 75, Issue 1 35-45, Copyright © 1993 by Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc
Effects of partial patellectomy and reattachment of the patellar tendon on patellofemoral contact areas and pressures
RA Marder, TV Swanson, NA Sharkey and PJ Duwelius
Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, Sacramento.
We used a previously reported experimental method to measure patellofemoral
contact areas and pressures in four pairs of human cadaveric knees before
and after a partial patellectomy. The knee joints were loaded by
application of a flexion moment, which was resisted by the extension moment
of the quadriceps mechanism. Patellofemoral contact was measured with the
use of pressure-sensitive film, at 30, 60, and 90 degrees of flexion of the
knee. Partial patellectomy decreased the patellofemoral contact area and
increased pressure. We observed alterations in the patterns of contact,
including a proximal shift in patellofemoral contact, after partial
patellectomy. An anterior reattachment of the patellar tendon significantly
minimized the effects of 20 and 40 per cent patellectomies (p < 0.05).
After a 60 per cent patellectomy, patellofemoral contact was altered
markedly, with the contact area reduced to less than 50 per cent of the
control values regardless of the position of the patellar tendon
reattachment.
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us 
Technorati What's this?
