Device for Verifying the Patellar Cut During Knee Replacement Surgery

Abstract

Cutting the kneecap (patella) in knee replacement surgery is challenging and can lead to pain and reduced function when done incorrectly. The presented device allows the surgeon to check the threedimensional symmetry and thickness of the bone remnant before the operation is complete. Observations and measurements made on 36 resected artificial patellae and 16 resected cadaveric patellae matched well with computed tomography (CT) scans of the patellae with few exceptions; the exceptions should be addressable by changes in design and use. Average time to apply the device was 1 min.