Measuring Patellofemoral Forces and Pressures in a Simulated Operating Room Environment
Received 5 January 2009; accepted 12 September 2009. published online 09 November 2009. Corrected Proof
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to use a validated capacitive pressure (Novel Electronics, Inc, St Paul, Minn) in the measurement and distribution of patellofemoral forces and pressures during simulated operative procedures. Six fresh frozen cadaver knees were evaluated through a range of motion and observations recorded in native knees (NKNP) with sequential resurfacing of tibiofemoral (RKNP) and patellofemoral (RKRP) articulations with standard and gender (GKRP) components. Significant lateral-medial maximum force differentials were observed for all conditions. Significant lateral-medial peak pressure differentials were observed in RKNP and RKRP. A significant decrease in lateral maximum force from RKRP to GKRP (P = .01) was observed. Significant increases in lateral peak were seen from NKNP to RKNP (P = .04) and RKNP to RKRP (P = .047), whereas a significant decrease was seen from RKRP to GKRP (P < .01). Achieving a quantitative intraoperative assessment of patellar tracking and soft tissue balancing may offer benefits in terms of intraoperative decision making. This is the first reported study to simulate quantitative, intraoperative assessments of patellofemoral pressure and force.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hahnemann University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Reprint requests: Norman A. Johanson, MD, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hahnemann University Hospital, 245 N 15th St, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
Benefits or funds were received in partial or total support of the research material described in this article. These benefits or support were received from the following sources: Zimmer, Inc.
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