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The Effect of Intercondylar Notchplasty on the Patellofemoral Articulation

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mount Carmel Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio

J. Jeffrey McElroy, MD

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mount Carmel Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio

John D. DesJardins, MS

Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Donald D. Anderson, PhD

Allegheny-Singer Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Robert N. Steensen, MD

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mount Carmel Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio

Using pressure-sensitive film, we measured the patel lofemoral contact areas and pressures after increasing degrees of notchplasty in eight fresh-frozen cadaveric knee specimens. Each specimen was stabilized on an axial loading frame with physiologic loads applied through the quadriceps tendon at varying flexion an gles. The patellofemoral joint was loaded at 90°, 105°, and 120° of knee flexion. The same measurements were then obtained after serial notchplasties of 3, 6, and 9 mm. The film was analyzed for contact areas and for contact pressures by densitometry. There was no statistical significance between contact area or pres sure after notchplasties of 3, 6, or 9 mm at 90°, 105°, and 120° of knee flexion. These data suggest that routine notchplasty does not affect the patellofemoral articulation.