The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 23, Issue 4 , Pages 600-604, June 2008

Variation of the Vastus Medialis Obliquus Insertion and its Relevance to Minimally Invasive Total Knee Arthroplasty

  • Graeme Holt, MBChB, MRCS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, United Kingdom
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprint requests: Graeme Holt, MBChB, MRCS, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hairmyres Hospital, Eaglesham Rd, G75 8RG East Kilbride, UK.
    • ,
  • Tom Nunn, MBChB, MRCS

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, United Kingdom
    • ,
  • Ruth A. Allen, MBChB, FRCSRad

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiology, Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, United Kingdom
    • ,
  • Alastair W. Forrester, MBChB, FRCSRad

      Affiliations

    • Department of Radiology, Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, United Kingdom
    • ,
  • Alberto Gregori, MBChB, FRCSOrth

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hairmyres Hospital, East Kilbride, United Kingdom

Received 17 August 2006; accepted 1 May 2007. published online 25 February 2008.

Abstract 

The aim of the study was to assess population variation of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) insertion to the patella. Sixty-five magnetic resonance imaging studies and 18 cadaver specimens were studied. The VMO insertion was expressed as a percentage of patellar length. In the magnetic resonance imaging cohort, the mean insertion was 51% (range 13-95); 59% (38 of 65) of individuals had an insertion within 40% to 60%, with 25% (16 of 65) being distal to 60%. In the cadaveric study, mean insertion was 52% (range 26-81). Both groups displayed a Gaussian distribution. Laterality and sex had no effect upon the level of insertion. The VMO has a variable and frequently distal insertion that may preclude a true quadriceps-sparing approach during minimally invasive knee arthroplasty.

Key words: VMO, total knee arthroplasty, MRI, cadaver

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 No benefits or funds were received in support of the study.

PII: S0883-5403(07)00337-3

doi:10.1016/j.arth.2007.05.053

The Journal of Arthroplasty
Volume 23, Issue 4 , Pages 600-604, June 2008

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