Differing descriptions of patellar motion relative to the femur have resulted from many in-vitro and in-vivo studies. The aim of this study was to examine the tracking behaviour of the patella. We hypothesized that patellar kinematics would correlate to the trochlear geometry. Seven normal fresh-frozen knees were CT scanned and their kinematics with quadriceps loading was measured by an optical tracker system and calculated in relation to the previously-established femoral axes. CT scans were used to reliably define frames of reference for the femur, tibia and the patella. A novel trochlear axis was defined, between the centres of best-fit medial and lateral trochlear articular surfaces spheres.Introduction
Method
