PATELLOFEMORAL JOINT FORCES DURING RUNNING IN MENISCECTOMISED KNEES

Meniscal injuries in sports are common and often require surgical treatment. Individuals who undergo a partial meniscectomy often complain of patellofemoral pain and later develop degenerative changes in the patella. This study compared peak patellofemoral joint (PFJ) stresses during running in those who have had a meniscectomy (both affected and contralateral limbs) with healthy individuals. Kinematic and kinetic data were collected during running and used to estimate PFJ stresses. Peak hip, knee, ankle angles and moments were calculated. PFJ stresses were lower in the affected limb compared to the contralateral limb and healthy group. The affected limb also demonstrated reduced knee and ankle moments compared to the healthy group. Reduced PFJ stresses following a meniscectomy are likely to be a result of a quadriceps avoidance strategy which is likely to be used to compensate for the quadriceps weakness and atrophy often reported following a meniscectomy. Reduced PFJ stresses, if prolonged, could lead to tissue atrophy and a greater risk of injury