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Anatomical analysis of the medial patellofemoral ligament of the knee, especially the femoral attachment

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the anatomical morphology and measurement of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), especially the femoral attachment. A total of 20 knee specimens were dissected and the total length, width, thickness, inclination, as well as the attachment points of the MPFL were measured. The MPFL was well-developed in seven knees, moderate in ten knees and wispy in three knees. Total length of the MPFL was 58.8 ± 4.7 mm. The width and thickness was 12.0 ± 3.1 mm and 0.44 ± 0.19 mm at the middle point. The long axis of the MPFL inclined at 15.9 ± 5.6° proximally. The center of the patellar attachment was located at 27 ± 10% from the upper end of the patella in the longitudinal patellar height. The femoral attachment was superoposterior to the medial femoral epicondyle and just distal to the adductor tubercle. The center of the anterior edge of the femoral attachment was 9.5 ± 1.8 mm proximally and 5.0 ± 1.7 mm posteriorly from the center of the medial femoral epicondyle. The femoral attachment was located at 61 ± 4% of anteroposterior length of the medial femoral condyle from the anterior edge.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Kawasaki Municipal Hospital, 12-1, Shinkawadori, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki, 210-0013, Japan

    Eiki Nomura & Natsuya Osada

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Isehara-kyodo Hospital, Sakuradai, Isehara, Japan

    Motoyasu Inoue

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  1. Eiki Nomura
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  2. Motoyasu Inoue
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  3. Natsuya Osada
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Correspondence to Eiki Nomura.

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Nomura, E., Inoue, M. & Osada, N. Anatomical analysis of the medial patellofemoral ligament of the knee, especially the femoral attachment. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 13, 510–515 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-004-0607-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-004-0607-4

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