[The effect of rotational alignment of the femoral components on the patellofemoral biomechanics in total knee arthroplasty].
OBJECTIVE
To study the effect of rotational alignment of the femoral components on the patellofemoral biomechanics in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) demonstrated on autopsy specimens, as the guide for surgeons to choose the correct reference axis for rotational alignment of the femoral components and to reduce the patellofemoral joint complications.


METHODS
Select 9 frozen fresh human cadaver knees without gross deformities or instabilities and mount specimens on a patellofemoral joint testing jig connected to a Model 8501 Instron machine (Instron Corporation, Canton, MA). The study simulated the action of squatting from the standing position with the foot firmly planted. Standard TKA was performed in each specimen by the same senior surgeon using Nexgen LPS total knee system (Zimmer Corporation, Warsaw Indiana). Alter rotational alignment of the femoral components referenced to the transepicondylar axis and the Whiteside's line respectively. Measure biomechanics of the patellofemoral joints using Fuji prescale film at 30 degrees , 60 degrees , 90 degrees , 120 degrees of knee flexion respectively. The digital values were obtained by the handheld pressure measurement systems (FPD-305E, FPD-306E) and Autocad software.


RESULTS
The rotational alignment of the femoral components paralleled to the transepicondylar axis had the best results of the peak value of the patellofemoral contact pressure (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in patellofemoral contact area (P > 0.05). But the patellofemoral contact area had the close correlations to the angles of the knee flexion and the specimens.


CONCLUSIONS
Rotational alignment of the femoral components has a great influence on the patellofemoral contact pressure in total knee arthroplasty. It is reliable for surgeons to choose the transepicondylar axis as the reference axis to rotate femoral components.
Chu
Xiao-bing
XB
Department of Orthopaedics, Changzheng Hospital, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
Wu
Hai-shan
HS
Xu
Chang-ming
CM
Zhu
Yun-li
YL
Feng
Ming-guang
MG
He
Zhi-yong
ZY
D000328:Adult; D019645:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee / Q000379:methods*; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D007720:Knee Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D012399:Rotation