Research article summary (published 30 Oct 2009):

Three-dimensional patellar motion at the natural knee during passive flexion/extension. An in vitro study.

Full Abstract

Patellar maltracking may result in many patellofemoral joint (PFJ) disorders in the natural and replaced knee. The literature providing quantitative reference for normal PFJ kinematics according to which patellar maltracking could be identified is still limited. The aim of this study was to measure in vitro accurately all six-degrees-of-freedom of patellar motion with respect to the femur and tibia on 20 normal specimens. A state-of-the-art knee navigation system, suitably adapted for this study aim, was used. Anatomical reference frames were defined for the femur, tibia, and patella according to international recommendations. PFJ flexion, tilt, rotation, and translations were calculated in addition to standard tibiofemoral joint (TFJ) kinematics. All motion patterns were found to be generally repeatable intra-/interspecimens. PFJ flexion was 62% of the corresponding TFJ flexion range; tilt and translations along femoral mediolateral and tibial proximodistal axes during TFJ flexion were found with medial, lateral, and distal trends and within 12 degrees , 6 and 9 mm, respectively. No clear pattern for PFJ rotation was observed. These results concur with comparable reports from the literature and contribute to the controversial knowledge on normal PFJ kinematics. Their consistence provides fundamental information to understand orthopedic treatment of the knee and for possible relevant measurements intraoperatively. (c) 2009 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Author information

Author/s: Belvedere, Claudio (C); Leardini, Alberto (A); Ensini, Andrea (A); Bianchi, Luca (L); Catani, Fabio (F); Giannini, Sandro (S);

Affiliation: Movement Analysis Laboratory, Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Centro di Ricerca Codivilla-Putti, Via di Barbiano 1/10, 40136 Bologna, Italy. belvedere(-atsign-)ior.it

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of orthopaedic research : official publication of the Orthopaedic Research Society (J Orthop Res), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2009-Nov; vol 27 (issue 11) : pp 1426-31

Dates: Created 2009/10/21; Completed 2009/11/06;

PMID: 19444875, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Aged Aged, 80 and over Biomechanics Cadaver Female Femur - physiology

Femur - physiology Humans Knee Joint - physiology Male Middle Aged Patella - physiology Tibia - physiology

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