POSTER ABSTRACTS - ISAKOS

They deny any anterior knee pain or feeling of
patella subluxation. There have been no recurrent
episodes and all patients have returned to full
previous level of sports participation.
Conclusion: This study represents a small series
of arthroscopic treatment of acute patella
dislocations. Limitations of this report include the
fact that it is a retrospective evaluation of a new
technique and not a double-blinded prospective
study. We believe, however, that the technique
described is easy to perform and has the potential
to provide excellent clinical results. It provides
the surgeon with a minimally invasive
arthroscopic option when encountering the
athlete with an acute patella dislocation
associated with complete rupture of the medial
retinaculum.
E-poster w/ Standard #636
The Potential Role of the Infrapatellar Fat Pad
in the Anterior Knee Pain Syndrome
Michael Bohnsack, Hannover, GERMANY,
Presenter
Arne Wilharm, Hannover, GERMANY
Chris Hurschler, Hannover, GERMANY
Oliver Rahmann, Hannover, GERMANY
Carl Joachim Wirth, Hannover, GERMANY
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hannover,
GERMANY
Purpose: The study was designed to evaluate the
biomechanical and neurohistological properties
of the infrapatellar fat especially concerning its
potential role in the anterior knee pain syndrome.
Methods: Isokinetic knee extension from 120 of
flexion to full extension was simulated on 10
human knee cadaver specimens (6 male, 4 female,
average age at death 44 years). Joint kinematics
was evaluated by ultrasound sensors (CMS
100TM, Zebris, Isny, GERMANY), and retropatellar
contact pressure was measured using a
thin-film resistive ink pressure system (K-ScanTM
4000, Tekscan, Boston). The infrapatellar tissue
pressure was analyzed using a closed sensor cell.
The patellar contact pressure was measured
before and after resection of the infrapatellar fat
pad. The distribution of nerve fibres in the
infrapatellar fat pad was assed
immunohistologically in a second part of the
study.
Results: Infrapatellar tissue pressure significantly
increased during knee extension 100 ranging from 343 (?223) mbar at O - to 60 (?
64) mbar at 60 of flexion. A total resection of the
infrapatellar fat pad resulted in a significant
decrease of the tibial external rotation of 3 in full
knee extension (p=0,011), combined with a
significant medial translation of the patella
between 29 and 69 knee flexion (p=0,017 to
0,028). Retro-patellar contact pressure was
significantly (p