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Biomechanics of the Patellofemoral Joint

  • Chapter
The Patella

Abstract

The main biomechanical function of the patella is to improve the quadriceps efficiency by increasing the lever arm of the extensor mechanism. The patella displaces the patellar tendon away from the femorotibial contact point throughout range of motion, therefore increasing the patellar tendon moment arm.1–3 There are other important functions. The patella is necessary to centralize the divergent forces coming from the four heads of the quadriceps, and to transmit tension around the femur, in a frictionless way, to the patellar tendon and tibial tuberosity. The hyaline articular cartilage provides an insensitive (aneural), thick, avascular tissue that is specifically adapted to bearing high compressive loads.2,3

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Authors
  1. Paolo Aglietti
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  2. Pier Paolo M. Menchetti
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Beth Israel Medical Center-North Division, The Insall Scott Kelly Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, New York, NY, 10128, USA

    Giles R. Scuderi M.D.

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© 1995 Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Aglietti, P., Menchetti, P.P.M. (1995). Biomechanics of the Patellofemoral Joint. In: Scuderi, G.R. (eds) The Patella. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4188-1_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-4188-1_3

  • Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8691-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4612-4188-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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