The Biomechanical Function of the Patellar Tendon During In-vivo Weight-bearing Flexion.
From: Bioengineering Laboratory, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, 55 Fruit St, 1215 GRJ, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
Journal of biomechanics
- Publish Date: 2007
- ISSN: 0021-9290
- Volume: 40
- Issue: 8
- Pages: 1716-22
- Medium: Print
- Language: English
- Citation (JAMA): Defrate Louis E, Nha Kyung Wook, Papannagari Ramprasad, et al. The Biomechanical Function of the Patellar Tendon During In-vivo Weight-bearing Flexion.. 2007;40:1716-22
Abstract
Few studies have investigated the function of the patellar tendon in-vivo. This study quantified the three-dimensional (3D) kinematics of the patellar tendon during weight-bearing flexion. Eleven subjects were imaged using magnetic resonance (MR). Sagittal plane images were outlined to create a 3D model of the patella, tibia, and femur and included the attachment sites of the patellar tendon. Each attachment site was divided into central, medial, and lateral thirds. Next, the subjects were imaged using fluoroscopy from two orthogonal directions while performing a single-leg lunge. The models and fluoroscopic images were used to reproduce the motion of the patella, tibia, and femur. The apparent elongation, sagittal plane angle, and coronal plane angle of each third of the patellar tendon were measured from the relative motion of the attachment sites. All three portions of the patellar tendon deformed similarly with flexion. The length of the patellar tendon significantly from full extension to 30 degrees . From 30 degrees -110 degrees , no significant change in the length of the patellar tendon was observed. The patellar tendon was oriented anteriorly at flexion angles less than 60 degrees and posteriorly thereafter. From full extension to 60 degrees , the medial orientation of the patellar tendon decreased significantly with flexion. These data may have important implications for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using patellar tendon autografts and for the design of rehabilitation regimens for patients of patellar tendon repair.
Mesh Headings (Keywords): Adult, Biomechanics, Computer Simulation, Female, Humans, Knee Joint, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Male, Models, Biological, Patellar Ligament, Range of Motion, Articular, Stress, Mechanical, Weight-Bearing
Check for Full Text / PubMed Unique Identifier (PMID): 17070815
This abstract is part of PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. PubMed includes more than 17 million citations from MEDLINE and other life science journals for biomedical articles. See Copyright and Disclaimers.
Linked medical terms appearing on this page are added by Healia to help readers find more information and are not part of the original PubMed document.
The data herein was last updated on July 8th, 2008 and may not reflect the most current and accurate data available from NLM.