open access

Vol 77, No 4 (2018)
Original article
Submitted: 2018-01-27
Accepted: 2018-03-08
Published online: 2018-03-30
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Cadaveric-biomechanical study on medial retinaculum: its stabilising role for the patella against lateral dislocation

L. Mitrogiannis1, A. Barbouti1, P. Kanavaros1, G. Paraskevas2, A. Kitsouli1, G. Mitrogiannis1, P. Kitsoulis1
·
Pubmed: 29611163
·
Folia Morphol 2018;77(4):742-747.
Affiliations
  1. Laboratory of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
  2. Laboratory of Anatomy-Histology-Embryology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University, Thessaloniki, Greece, Thessaloniki, Greece

open access

Vol 77, No 4 (2018)
ORIGINAL ARTICLES
Submitted: 2018-01-27
Accepted: 2018-03-08
Published online: 2018-03-30

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the biomechanical role of medial retinaculum, as a stabilising factor against lateral patellar dislocation.

Materials and methods: This cadaveric-biomechanical study included the patellae of 10 cadaveric knees, which were surgically exposed and the medial retinaculum of each one was located. A stable 24.51 N force was applied to the four parts of the quadriceps, and an increasing lateral displacing force was applied to the patella, up to 5 mm dislocation. The study was repeated for 0o, 45o, and 90o of knee flexion, with the medial retinaculum intact and dissected. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for data analysis. A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistical significant.

Results: After the dissection of medial retinaculum, the lateral displacement force was lower at every angle of knee flexion (p = 0.005, p = 0.007, p = 0.005, respectively). The lateral displacement force increased as the flexion angle increased (p = 0.005), regardless of medial retinaculum integrity.

Conclusions: Medial retinaculum acts as a stabilising factor for the patella, against its lateral dislocation in lower flexion angles. Therefore, methods of surgical reinforcement or repair of medial retinaculum could provide protection against
recurrent patellar dislocation.

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the biomechanical role of medial retinaculum, as a stabilising factor against lateral patellar dislocation.

Materials and methods: This cadaveric-biomechanical study included the patellae of 10 cadaveric knees, which were surgically exposed and the medial retinaculum of each one was located. A stable 24.51 N force was applied to the four parts of the quadriceps, and an increasing lateral displacing force was applied to the patella, up to 5 mm dislocation. The study was repeated for 0o, 45o, and 90o of knee flexion, with the medial retinaculum intact and dissected. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used for data analysis. A p value < 0.05 was considered as statistical significant.

Results: After the dissection of medial retinaculum, the lateral displacement force was lower at every angle of knee flexion (p = 0.005, p = 0.007, p = 0.005, respectively). The lateral displacement force increased as the flexion angle increased (p = 0.005), regardless of medial retinaculum integrity.

Conclusions: Medial retinaculum acts as a stabilising factor for the patella, against its lateral dislocation in lower flexion angles. Therefore, methods of surgical reinforcement or repair of medial retinaculum could provide protection against
recurrent patellar dislocation.

Get Citation

Keywords

patellar instability, patellar retinaculum, medial stabilisers, lateral displacement force, medial patellofemoral ligament

About this article
Title

Cadaveric-biomechanical study on medial retinaculum: its stabilising role for the patella against lateral dislocation

Journal

Folia Morphologica

Issue

Vol 77, No 4 (2018)

Article type

Original article

Pages

742-747

Published online

2018-03-30

Page views

5344

Article views/downloads

967

DOI

10.5603/FM.a2018.0032

Pubmed

29611163

Bibliographic record

Folia Morphol 2018;77(4):742-747.

Keywords

patellar instability
patellar retinaculum
medial stabilisers
lateral displacement force
medial patellofemoral ligament

Authors

L. Mitrogiannis
A. Barbouti
P. Kanavaros
G. Paraskevas
A. Kitsouli
G. Mitrogiannis
P. Kitsoulis

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