Abstract
Total knee arthroplasty is now a common and successful means of treating osteoarthritis and other degenerative conditions in the knee joint. Historically, mechanical failures (e.g. button loosening or separation from the metal backing) and chronic subluxation have been among the most common complications associated with the patello-femoral joint. Advances in fixation, implant design, and surgical technique have lead to a decrease in the incidence of mechanical failures, but restoration of stable function to the distal extensor mechanism remains challenging. The center of pressure (COP) on the patellar implant is an indication of the distribution of contact forces on the device and of the stability of patellar tracking. An eccentric COP suggests the possibility of subluxation, high contact stresses, and increased patellar wear. The main objective of this study was to determine the affect of medial-lateral patellar placement on the COP of the patellar implant. It was hypothesized that medial-lateral placement of the patella would have a significant effect on the COP.
