ePrints

Patellar thickness and lateral retinacular release affects patellofemoral kinematics in total knee arthroplasty

Lookup NU author(s): Professor David Deehan

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.

Abstract

Purpose To study the effect of increasing patellar thickness (overstuffing) on patellofemoral kinematics in total knee arthroplasty and whether subsequent lateral retinacular release would restore the change in kinematics. Methods The quadriceps of eight fresh-frozen knees were loaded on a custom-made jig. Kinematic data were recorded using an optical tracking device for the native knee, following total knee arthroplasty (TKA), then with patellar thicknesses from -2 to ? 4 mm, during knee extension motion. Staged lateral retinacular releases were performed to examine the restoration of normal patellar kinematics. Results Compared to the native knee, TKA led to significant changes in patellofemoral kinematics, with significant increases in lateral shift, tilt and rotation. When patellar composite thickness was increased, the patella tilted further laterally. Lateral release partly corrected this lateral tilt but caused abnormal tibial external rotation. With complete release of the lateral retinaculum and capsule, the patella with an increased thickness of 4 mm remained more laterally tilted compared to the TKA with normal patellar thickness between 45 degrees and 55 degrees knee flexion and from 75 degrees onwards. This was on average by 2.4 degrees+/-2.9 degrees(p < 0.05) and 2.degrees 9+/-3.0 degrees(p < 0.01), respectively. Before the release, for those flexion ranges, the patella was tilted laterally by 4.7 degrees+/-3.2 degrees and 5.4 degrees+/-2.7 degrees more than in the TKA with matched patellar thickness. Conclusion Patellar thickness affects patellofemoral kinematics after TKA. Although lateral tilt was partly corrected by lateral retinacular release, this affected the tibiofemoral kinematics. Level of evidence IV.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Merican AM, Ghosh KM, Baena FRY, Deehan DJ, Amis AA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Year: 2014

Volume: 22

Issue: 3

Pages: 526-533

Print publication date: 28/12/2012

ISSN (print): 0942-2056

ISSN (electronic): 1433-7347

Publisher: Springer

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2312-z

DOI: 10.1007/s00167-012-2312-z

Altmetrics

Share