Computational Analysis of Quadriceps Tendon Force Following Total Knee Replacement Surgery Leads to Improved Patient Knee Flexure

Anterior knee pain is a significant complication following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) surgery. The inability to freely extend/flex the knee has a crucial influence on patients daily activities including walking, lifting and rising from a chair. This knee movement inability is one of the most common indications of needed TKA procedure revisions. Poor sizing during surgery of the patellar knee component – a “button-like” element that increases the mechanical advantage of the extension force. The research biomechanics group in the Department of Bioengineering at Clemson University has evaluated the effect of the patella-button thickness on the variation of the magnitude of the quadriceps tendon force by applying HyperWorks-based finite element analysis.