[Patellofemoral contact zones in knee endoprostheses]

Failures after total knee arthroplasty often are caused by problems of the patellofemoral articulation. We investigated 10 different femoral components and 12 different patellar implants. The size of the patellofemoral contact areas was evaluated by pressure sensitive films every 10 degrees up to 90 degrees of flexion. The forces of the quadriceps muscle and the patella ligament were measured by force transducers. The compressive forces acting between patella and gliding grove were calculated. The geometry of the components and forces was documented. The retropatellar contact areas are specific for each prosthesis. The patterns of displacement are similar for some groups of prostheses. The absolute size of the contact areas and their size relative total surface of the patellar implant is very small. This induces high local pressure of the polyethylene.