anthropometric analysis of human adult dry patella for construction of patellar prosthesis: a pilot study

Introduction: The pathobiology of patella related illnesses are multifactorial and the postoperative failure of total knee arthroplasty leads to the implant designing. Currently in India, based on the western anthropometry measurements, patellar prosthesis is available which is not perfectly suitable for Indian ethnic population. Creating a patellar bone prosthesis by incorporating the Indian ethnic anthropometric dimensions will give much better postoperative result and will help in designing new surgical techniques. Aim: To obtain anthropometric measurements of patella in Indian Ethnic population for construction of patellar prosthesis. Materials and Methods: An osteological study was carried out in which 66 non-pathological human dry adult patella bone was collected from southern and western ethnic Konkan tribal populations of India. The primary objective of the present study was to measure the anthropometric dimensions of dry Indian human patella bone and to compare the anthropometry dimensions of various ethnic populations in and around the world. Measurements like height, breadth, thickness of articular surface of patella were measured and recorded. Various measurements were done using scientific digital Vernier calliper, digital protractor. Statistical analysis was done by using Graph pad prism version 8.2.1. Results: The maximum mean height of right and left patella was 38.7±5 mm and 40.006±7 mm, respectively. Maximum mean breadth of right and left patella was 40.1±5 mm and 40.2±6 mm, respectively and all other parameters were statistically significant. When right and left side patella values were compared, all the parameters was statistically significant and more for left side except for maximum height of medial facet and maximum breadth of lateral facet. Conclusion: The present study provides basic knowledge of patellar dimension to orthopedician which will help in designing the patellar prosthesis involving the knee.