Skip to main content
Top
Published in: International Orthopaedics 9/2012

01-09-2012 | Original Paper

Density and strength distribution in the human subchondral bone plate of the patella

Authors: Sebastian Hoechel, Dieter Wirz, Magdalena Müller-Gerbl

Published in: International Orthopaedics | Issue 9/2012

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to map the strength distribution of the human patella and correlate it to the subchondral bone plate density obtained by means of computed tomographyosteoabsorptiometry (CT-OAM).

Methods

Measurements were performed at 34 standardized points on each patella. The mineralization patterns of the subchondral bone plate of 20 patellae were displayed with the help of CT-OAM. False-coloured distribution patterns for our measurements were generated. The mechanical strength was determined at the same points by indentation testing.

Results

We showed that neither the density nor the mechanical strength is distributed homogeneously but exhibited regular, reproducible distribution patterns which mirror long-term stress distribution in articular surfaces. A direct correlation was found between both parameters in the subchondral bone plate.

Conclusion

The correlation of density and mechanical strength makes CT-OAM a valuable tool to assess and monitor changes in the strength of the subchondral bone plate in vivo.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Outerbridge RE (1961) The etiology of chondromalacia patellae. J Bone Joint Surg Br 43-B:752–757PubMed Outerbridge RE (1961) The etiology of chondromalacia patellae. J Bone Joint Surg Br 43-B:752–757PubMed
2.
go back to reference van Middelkoop M, van Linschoten R, Berger MY, Koes BW, Bierma-Zeinstra SM (2008) Knee complaints seen in general practice: active sport participants versus non-sport participants. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 9:36. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-9-36 PubMedCrossRef van Middelkoop M, van Linschoten R, Berger MY, Koes BW, Bierma-Zeinstra SM (2008) Knee complaints seen in general practice: active sport participants versus non-sport participants. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 9:36. doi:10.​1186/​1471-2474-9-36 PubMedCrossRef
3.
go back to reference Malek MM, Mangine RE (1981) Patellofemoral pain syndromes: a comprehensive and conservative approach. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2(3):108–116PubMed Malek MM, Mangine RE (1981) Patellofemoral pain syndromes: a comprehensive and conservative approach. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2(3):108–116PubMed
4.
go back to reference Puddu G, Giombini A, Selvanetti A (2001) Rehabilitation of sports injuries: current concepts. Springer, Berlin, New York Puddu G, Giombini A, Selvanetti A (2001) Rehabilitation of sports injuries: current concepts. Springer, Berlin, New York
5.
go back to reference Christoforakis J, Bull AM, Strachan RK, Shymkiw R, Senavongse W, Amis AA (2006) Effects of lateral retinacular release on the lateral stability of the patella. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 14(3):273–277. doi:10.1007/s00167-005-0699-5 PubMedCrossRef Christoforakis J, Bull AM, Strachan RK, Shymkiw R, Senavongse W, Amis AA (2006) Effects of lateral retinacular release on the lateral stability of the patella. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 14(3):273–277. doi:10.​1007/​s00167-005-0699-5 PubMedCrossRef
7.
go back to reference Fulkerson JP, Hungerford DS, Ficat RP (1990) Disorders of the patellofemoral joint, 2nd edn. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore Fulkerson JP, Hungerford DS, Ficat RP (1990) Disorders of the patellofemoral joint, 2nd edn. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore
8.
9.
go back to reference Ahmed AM, Burke DL, Yu A (1983) In-vitro measurement of static pressure distribution in synovial joints. Part II: retropatellar surface. J Biomech Eng 105(3):226–236PubMedCrossRef Ahmed AM, Burke DL, Yu A (1983) In-vitro measurement of static pressure distribution in synovial joints. Part II: retropatellar surface. J Biomech Eng 105(3):226–236PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Pauwels F (1965) Gesammelte Abhandlungen zur funktionellen Anatomie des Bewegungsapparates. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, New York Pauwels F (1965) Gesammelte Abhandlungen zur funktionellen Anatomie des Bewegungsapparates. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, New York
12.
go back to reference Wolff J (1986) The law of bone remodelling. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, New YorkCrossRef Wolff J (1986) The law of bone remodelling. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, New YorkCrossRef
13.
go back to reference Eckstein F, Muller-Gerbl M, Putz R (1992) Distribution of subchondral bone density and cartilage thickness in the human patella. J Anat 180(Pt 3):425–433PubMed Eckstein F, Muller-Gerbl M, Putz R (1992) Distribution of subchondral bone density and cartilage thickness in the human patella. J Anat 180(Pt 3):425–433PubMed
14.
go back to reference Milz S, Eckstein F, Putz R (1995) The thickness of the subchondral plate and its correlation with the thickness of the uncalcified articular cartilage in the human patella. Anat Embryol (Berl) 192(5):437–444CrossRef Milz S, Eckstein F, Putz R (1995) The thickness of the subchondral plate and its correlation with the thickness of the uncalcified articular cartilage in the human patella. Anat Embryol (Berl) 192(5):437–444CrossRef
15.
go back to reference Müller-Gerbl M (1998) The subchondral bone plate. Advances in anatomy, embryology, and cell biology, vol 141. Springer, Berlin, New York Müller-Gerbl M (1998) The subchondral bone plate. Advances in anatomy, embryology, and cell biology, vol 141. Springer, Berlin, New York
17.
go back to reference Muller-Gerbl M, Putz R, Hodapp N, Schulte E, Wimmer B (1990) Demonstration of subchondral density pattern using CT-osteoabsorptiometry (CT-OAM) for the assessment of individual joint stress in live patients. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb 128(2):128–133. doi:10.1055/s-2008-1039487 PubMedCrossRef Muller-Gerbl M, Putz R, Hodapp N, Schulte E, Wimmer B (1990) Demonstration of subchondral density pattern using CT-osteoabsorptiometry (CT-OAM) for the assessment of individual joint stress in live patients. Z Orthop Ihre Grenzgeb 128(2):128–133. doi:10.​1055/​s-2008-1039487 PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Tillmann B, Brade H (1980) Die Beanspruchung des Femoropatellargelenks. Anat Anz 147:477–478 Tillmann B, Brade H (1980) Die Beanspruchung des Femoropatellargelenks. Anat Anz 147:477–478
19.
go back to reference Maquet P (1976) Biomechanics of the knee. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New YorkCrossRef Maquet P (1976) Biomechanics of the knee. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New YorkCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Ficat RP, Hungerford DS (1977) Disorders of the patello-femoral joint. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore Ficat RP, Hungerford DS (1977) Disorders of the patello-femoral joint. Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore
22.
go back to reference Minns RJ, Birnie AJ, Abernethy PJ (1979) A stress analysis of the patella, and how it relates to patellar articular cartilage lesions. J Biomech 12(9):699–711PubMedCrossRef Minns RJ, Birnie AJ, Abernethy PJ (1979) A stress analysis of the patella, and how it relates to patellar articular cartilage lesions. J Biomech 12(9):699–711PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Gordon KD, Duck TR, King GJ, Johnson JA (2003) Mechanical properties of subchondral cancellous bone of the radial head. J Orthop Trauma 17(4):285–289PubMedCrossRef Gordon KD, Duck TR, King GJ, Johnson JA (2003) Mechanical properties of subchondral cancellous bone of the radial head. J Orthop Trauma 17(4):285–289PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Kraljevic M, Zumstein V, Wirz D, Hugli R, Muller-Gerbl M (2011) Mineralisation and mechanical strength of the glenoid cavity subchondral bone plate. Int Orthop 35(12):1813–1819. doi:10.1007/s00264-011-1308-5 Kraljevic M, Zumstein V, Wirz D, Hugli R, Muller-Gerbl M (2011) Mineralisation and mechanical strength of the glenoid cavity subchondral bone plate. Int Orthop 35(12):1813–1819. doi:10.​1007/​s00264-011-1308-5
Metadata
Title
Density and strength distribution in the human subchondral bone plate of the patella
Authors
Sebastian Hoechel
Dieter Wirz
Magdalena Müller-Gerbl
Publication date
01-09-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Orthopaedics / Issue 9/2012
Print ISSN: 0341-2695
Electronic ISSN: 1432-5195
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00264-012-1545-2

Other articles of this Issue 9/2012

International Orthopaedics 9/2012 Go to the issue