Influence of the patellofemoral ligaments on the patellar kinematics after TKA during squat movement

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease characterized by damage of the cartilage. A solution to this problem is total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, there is still complication after total knee arthroplasty with patella resurfacing. In fact, most patellofemoral complications after total knee arthroplasty are associated with abnormal patellofemoral kinematics and increased forces acting on the patella. In previous in-vitro studies, it has been observed that the medialpatellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is the primary passive restraint that resists lateral translation of the patella. As it is difficult to measure patellar kinematics in vivo, finite element analysis can be an alternative way to predict patellar mechanics after TKA. The numerical model of the TKA has been already created within LBO. The model includes the femur, the tibia, the patella and quadriceps muscles. However, the model is missing patellofemoral ligaments. The aim of the study was to add these structures to the model and analyse influence on patellar kinematics.