Direct measurement of patellofemoral contact force

Date
2020-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University.
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Osteoarthritis is a prevalent disease that affects millions of people around the world. The most effective treatment is a total knee arthroplasty. However, post-operative patellofemoral problems do arise, such as anterior knee pain, which affects up to 23% of patients. The cause of post-operative anterior knee pain remains unknown. It has been noted that patients with patellar buttons that were overstuffed during surgery are more likely to suffer anterior knee pain. This has led to the theory that overstuffing might be a cause of post-operative patellofemoral pain. It is believed that the thickness of the patellar implant may have an effect on the contact force experienced by the patellofemoral joint. The present study aimed to directly measure the contact force experienced by the patellar button prosthesis used in total knee arthroplasty, in a simulated environment, using a force sensor. The results of the contact force experienced by patellar buttons of different thicknesses used in total knee arthroplasty were then compared. The difference in the thickness of the patellar buttons proved to have a significant effect on the simulated patellofemoral contact force. This may be proof that overstuffing the patellofemoral joint could significantly increase the patellofemoral contact force, leading to further problems.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Osteoartritis is 'n algemene siekte wat miljoene mense regoor die wêreld affekteer, en die mees effektiewe behandeling is totale knie-artroplastiek. Hoewel totale knie-artroplastiek een van die suksesvolste operasies is, ontstaan post-operatiewe patellofemorale probleme, soos anterieure kniepyn, wat tot 23% van pasiënte raak. Die oorsaak van anterieure kniepyn ná totale knie-artroplastiek is onbekend. Pasiënte met patellêre inplantate wat tydens die operasie oormatig oorvul is, is meer geneig om patellofemorale kniepyn ná die operasie te hê. Dit het gelei tot die teorie dat oormatige vulling van die patellêre inplantaat 'n oorsaak van patellofemorale pyn kan wees. Daar word geglo dat die dikte van die patellêre inplantaat 'n invloed kan hê op die kontakkrag wat die patellofemorale gewrig ervaar. Die huidige studie was daarop gemik om die kontakkrag wat deur die patellêre inplantaat in 'n totale knie-artroplastie ondervind word in 'n gesimuleerde omgewing met behulp van 'n kragsensor te meet. Die kontakkrag wat deur patellêre inplantate van verskillende diktes wat in totale knie-artroplastiek gebruik word, is vergelyk. Die verskil in die dikte van die patellêre inplantate het 'n beduidende uitwerking op die gesimuleerde patellofemorale kontakkrag gehad, wat daarop dui dat oorvulling van die patellofemoral gewrig die patellofemorale kontakkrag aansienlik verhoog, wat tot verdere probleme kan lei.
Description
Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2020.
Keywords
Tactile sensors, Anterior knee pain post-operative, Patellofemoral joint, Direct force -- Measurement, Patella -- Surgery, Arthoplasty, Knee pods -- Size, Patellar buttons -- Measurement, Force sensors, UCTD
Citation