Relationship between patellar tendon shortening and in vitro kinematics in the ovine stifle joint

Post-operative patellar tendon shortening induces a distal positioning of the patella in the femoral trochlear groove, which has been associated with pain and impeded mobility. An idealized in vitro model was used to examine the effects of shortening on patellar kinematics. The PT length was progressively reduced by up to 5 mm (1-mm instalments) using a device secured onto the tendon in n = 9 ovine stifles. In vitro 6 degrees-of-freedom motion data for the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral joints under conditions of passively induced flexion-extension was acquired electromagnetically. Patellar motion was analysed as a function of both tibial and patellar flexion angles relative to the femoral co-ordinate frame. Linear regression with contrasts was used to compare kinematic changes for each shortening level, with significance set at P<0.01. A mean maximum percentage length reduction of 8.2% was achieved. Patellar flexion was linearly correlated with tibial flexion angle in the intact joint, and this correlation persisted after tendon shortening (R = 0.977, P < 0.01). Patellar kinematics expressed as a function of tibial flexion angle were significantly altered by a mean length decrease of 8.2%, while flexion and proximo-distal shift patterns were significantly affected at lesser shortening levels of 3.1% and 4.7%, respectively. Patellar kinematics expressed as a function of patellar flexion angle remained unchanged. These results suggest that patellar motion within the trochlear groove in the ovine stifle joint follows a repeatable three-dimensional path and that patellar tendon shortening advances the position of the patella along this path, without significantly altering it.