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Failure of the Patellar Tendon with the Patella Everted versus Noneverted in a Matched-Pair Cadaver Model

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HSS Journal

Abstract

Avoidance of patellar eversion during total knee arthroplasty may help to prevent injury to the patellar tendon. The purpose of this study was to compare the load-to-failure of the everted versus the noneverted patella in a cadaveric model. Fourteen cadaver knees (seven pairs) were loaded to failure with the patella everted in one knee and not everted in the other. Mean load-at-ultimate failure in the patella-everted group was 1,111 ± 572 N, and in the patella-noneverted group was 1,621 ± 683 N (p = 0.01). Additionally, loads-at-initial-partial failure were lower (p = 0.04) in the patella-everted compared to the patella-noneverted group, 573 ± 302 N versus 1,115 ± 358 N, respectively. A partial failure of the patellar tendon occurred in 100% of the everted specimens, whereas only 57% of the noneverted specimens had partial failure. These findings suggest patella eversion may lead to failure of the patellar insertion at lower loads than when the patella is not everted.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this project was provided by the Knee Service Fund of the Hospital for Special Surgery, the 535 Orthopaedic Research Foundation, and the Clark and Kirby Foundations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY, 10021, USA

    James A. Ryan MD & Steven B. Haas MD

  2. Department of Biomechanics, Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, NY, USA

    Kathleen N. Meyers MS & Timothy M. Wright PhD

  3. Clinic of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Udine, AOU of Udine, Udine, Italy

    Paolo DiBenedetto MD

Authors
  1. James A. Ryan MD
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  2. Kathleen N. Meyers MS
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  3. Paolo DiBenedetto MD
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  4. Timothy M. Wright PhD
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  5. Steven B. Haas MD
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Correspondence to Steven B. Haas MD.

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Ryan, J.A., Meyers, K.N., DiBenedetto, P. et al. Failure of the Patellar Tendon with the Patella Everted versus Noneverted in a Matched-Pair Cadaver Model. HSS Jrnl 6, 134–137 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-009-9149-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-009-9149-0

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