Patellofemoral contact during simulated weight bearing squat movement: A cadaveric study

Abstract

The Ghent Knee Rig was built in 2006 for studying the biomechanical behavior of post-mortem human knees. To validate this test rig the patellofemoral contact pressures and areas were investigated in 3 post-mortem knees tested under the same circumstances and compared to results in literature. To load the quadriceps, the vastus intermedius and rectus femoris were separated and clamped together. The pulling cable was aligned according to the shaft of the femur to keep the Q-angle at physiological values. A pressure film was inserted in the patellofemoral joint to measure the patellofemoral contact area and pressure. The results follow the general accepted trends of patellofemoral contact during knee flexion and extension; when the patella enters the trochlear groove at approximately 20 degrees of knee flexion, the intra articular contact pressure and area start to build up and the contact area on the patella shifts from distal to proximal. Though working with cadaveric specimens remains a simulation of in vivo situations with well known limitations, the test rig shows a good repeatability and reliability. The next stage of this research project is a comparison of normal with pathological knees. © 2010 International Federation for Medical and Biological Engineering.