Finite Element Analysis of the Patellofemoral Joint Behavior Under Frontal Impact

Lower extremity injuries are a frequent outcome of automobile accidents (Fildes et al., 1997). These injuries can be a cause of permanent disability and impairment (States, 1986). Luchter and Walz (1995) found that the lower extremity was the most frequently injured body region, comprising 27.8% of the injuries in the 1993 National Accident Sampling System (NASS) database. Patella and femur fractures are the most frequent knee injuries.