Structural parameters of the vastus medialis muscle

This research was designed to evaluate musculoskeletal anatomy of the quadriceps region relative to the patellofemoral joint. The hypothesis for the study was that the oblique portion (VMO) of the vastus medialis muscle (VM) is anatomically positioned to function primarily as an active medial stabilizer of the patella. Because many clinicians believe that the VMO functions independently as an active medial stabilizer of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ), PFJ rehabilitation protocols commonly target the VMO in an attempt to restore normal joint mechanics. It is unclear whether this purported selective function is supported by the underlying anatomical structure. Through dissection of 32 limbs from 24 intact cadavers with normal patellar alignment, data were collected on VM fiber alignment and innervation, the presence of fascial plane, and the length of VM about the patella. Statistical analyses demonstrated that the oblique and long heads of the VM muscle had significantly different (P < 0.05) angles of fiber orientation, as expected. When measurements were taken relative to a vertical axis (standardizing limb alignment between cadavers), the difference in fiber angles between oblique and long heads of the VM was reduced significantly. Additionally, < 10% of the length of the VM muscle inserted directly on the medial aspect of the patella, and there was no anatomical evidence of a fascial plane or separate innervation for the oblique and long heads of the VM. The results of the study did not support the hypothesis that the VMO is anatomically positioned to function primarily as an active medial stabilizer of the patella.