The Effect of Intercondylar Notchplasty on the Patellofemoral Articulation

• Published in: The American journal of sports medicine 1996-11, Vol.24 (6), p.843-846
• Main Authors: Morgan, Eric A., McElroy, J. Jeffrey, DesJardins, John D., Anderson, Donald D., Steensen, Robert N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anterior cruciate ligament; Biological and medical sciences; Cadaver; Femur; Humans; Joints; Knee; Knee Joint - surgery; Ligaments; Medical procedures; Medical sciences; Orthopedic surgery; Patella; Pressure; Range of motion; Sports medicine; Stress, Mechanical; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tendons - surgery; Tibia
• ISSN: 0363-5465; 1552-3365
• DOI: 10.1177/036354659602400622

Using pressure-sensitive film, we measured the patel lofemoral contact areas and pressures after increasing degrees of notchplasty in eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knee specimens. Each specimen was stabilized on an axial loading frame with physiologic loads applied through the quadriceps tendon at varying flexion an gles. The patellofemoral joint was loaded at 90°, 105°, and 120° of knee flexion. The same measurements were then obtained after serial notchplasties of 3, 6, and 9 mm. The film was analyzed for contact areas and for contact pressures by densitometry. There was no statistical significance between contact area or pres sure after notchplasties of 3, 6, or 9 mm at 90°, 105°, and 120° of knee flexion. These data suggest that routine notchplasty does not affect the patellofemoral articulation.