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Bone hardness testing in the trabecular bone of the human patella
T Katoh1, M P Griffin, H W Wevers
1Department of Orthopaedics, Kobe University, Japan.
The Journal of Arthroplasty
|June 1, 1996
Summary
Bone hardness varies across the human patella, decreasing with depth. The proximolateral region is hardest, impacting patellar resurfacing and component design.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic biomechanics
- Bone tissue engineering
Background:
- The patella's mechanical properties are crucial for load-bearing.
- Understanding regional variations in patellar bone hardness is essential for surgical outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify bone hardness in different regions and depths of the human patella.
- To correlate bone hardness with anatomical location and depth for improved surgical considerations.
Main Methods:
- In situ indentation testing on 10 human patellas across 15 regions and 3 depths.
- Testing performed perpendicular to articular surfaces, parallel to trabeculae.
- Multiple regression analysis to assess hardness variations.
Main Results:
- Bone hardness significantly decreased with increasing depth.
- The lateral facet showed higher bone hardness than the medial facet.
- Proximal and central regions were harder than distal regions, with the proximolateral area being the hardest.
Conclusions:
- Patellar bone hardness is not uniform, with significant regional and depth-dependent variations.
- These findings have implications for optimizing patellar resurfacing techniques.
- Results can inform the design of more effective patellar components for joint replacement.