Influence of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction on patellar tracking and patellofemoral contact pressures in patella alta

Abstract

Knee squatting was simulated to characterize the influence of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction on patellar tracking and contact pressures for knees with mild patella alta (Caton-Deschamps index = 1.3-1.4). Eight computational models represented knees in the pre-operative condition and following MPFL reconstruction. MPFL reconstruction significantly reduced patellar lateral tracking at low flexion angles based on bisect offset index, significantly decreased the maximum lateral pressure in mid-flexion, and significantly increased the maximum medial pressure in mid-flexion. MPFL reconstruction improves patellar stability for knees with mild patella alta and can reduce the pressure applied to lateral cartilage on the patella.

Keywords:

• Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction
• patella alta
• computational simulation
• patellar tracking
• contact pressure

Disclosure statement

John Elias and Travis Jones report no conflicts of interest related to this study. Jason Koh is a paid consultant for Acuitive Technologies and Marrow Access Technologies, and has a patent with Marrow Access Technologies.

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by a research grant from the NorthShore University HealthSystem.