Patellar tracking in total knee replacements has been extensively studied, but little is known about patellar tracking in isolated patellofemoral replacements. We compared patellar tracking and the position of the patellar groove in the natural knee, followed by implantation of the femoral component of a PFR (patella unresurfaced) and after implantation of the femoral & patellar component of the PFR. Computer navigation was used to track the patella in eight whole lower extremities of four cadavers in the natural knee, in the same knee with the femoral component of the PFR (PFR-P) and with the femoral and patellar component of the PFR (PFR+P, patella resurfaced) (Depuy Sigma PFR). The form and position of the trochlea in the natural knee and the patellar groove of the femoral component was also analysed. Values are means+/−SD, two tailed Student's t-test for paired samples.Introduction
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