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Purpose

The purpose was to study the radiographic patellar tendon calcification and evaluate the histology of the healing interface between the patellar tendon and the remaining patella after partial patellectomy.

Methods

We removed the distal one-third of the patella in 24 rabbits. Specimens were harvested at 8, 12, and 24 wk postoperatively (N= 8 each).

Results

Histological observation demonstrated that healing interfaces between the patellar tendon and patella were structurally connected by scar tissue. The radiographic patellar tendon calcification next to the healing interface was in fact trabecular bone outgrowth histologically, resulting in an enlargement of the remaining patellar in length from 0.93+/-0.28 mm at week 8, 1.26+/-0.33 mm at week 12, to 2.5+/-1.12 mm at week 24. Metaplasia of the scar tissue observed next to the healing interface of the remaining patellar articular cartilage and the outgrowth of trabecular bone from the remaining patella with healing over time may increase the articular surface of the remaining patella after partial patellectomy.

Conclusions

The remaining patella might be enlarged in length after partial patellectomy because of trabecular bone outgrowth and metaplasia with healing over time. Its theoretical advantages are an increased patellofemoral contact area and a diminished patellofemoral contact pressure following surgery.