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Effect of an UHMWPE patellar component on stress fields in the patella: a finite element analysis

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

Abstract

An increased stress in the patella due to the implantation of a patellar button may also be another potential source of pain in total knee arthroplasty patients. This study assessed the location inside the patella having largest stress change after implantation of an ultra high molecular polyethylene patella button. Finite elements models of the patellae before and after implantation of patellar button were created. Experimentally determined spring constants of muscles and ligaments, and patellofemoral contacting loads were applied to the models at 30°, 60°, and 90° of knee flexion. The Von Mises stress of the intact patella decreased with increased knee flexion, while that of implanted patella increased. Also, the stress range in the implanted patella was 3~9 times higher than in the intact one. The highly stressed region of the intact patella moved proximally with higher knee flexion angles, while that of the implanted model stayed near the central anterior patella. At 90° of knee flexion, the stress in the anterodistal patella increased considerably after implantation of a patella button so that the anterodistal patella may be susceptible to be painful source after the total knee replacement.

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Acknowledgments

This research was partially supported by a research grant from the School of Medical System Engineering (SMSE) and the Institute of Medical System Engineering (iMSE), GIST, Korea.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Information and Mechatronics, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology, 1 Oryong-dong, Buk-gu, Gwangju, 500-712, Republic of Korea

    Yeon Soo Lee

  2. Orthopaedic Biomechanics Laboratory, VA Long Beach Healthcare System, Long Beach, CA, USA

    Yeon Soo Lee & Thay Q. Lee

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA

    Yeon Soo Lee, Thay Q. Lee & Joyce H. Keyak

  4. Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA

    Joyce H. Keyak

  5. Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, USA

    Joyce H. Keyak

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  1. Yeon Soo Lee
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Correspondence to Yeon Soo Lee.

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Lee, Y.S., Lee, T.Q. & Keyak, J.H. Effect of an UHMWPE patellar component on stress fields in the patella: a finite element analysis. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthr 17, 71–82 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-008-0628-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-008-0628-5

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