Normal anatomy and biomechanics of the knee.

Functionally, the knee comprises 2 articulations-the patellofemoral and tibiofemoral. Stability of the joint is governed by a combination of static ligaments, dynamic muscular forces, meniscocapsular aponeurosis, bony topography, and joint load. The surgeon is ill equipped to undertake surgical treatment of a dislocated knee without a sound footing in the anatomic complexities of this joint.

A quantitative analysis of tension band plating of the femur diaphysis.

Objectives: To measure quantitatively the strains in the concave and convex sides of a femur to substantiate the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen (AO) tension band principle.

Methods: Eight cadaveric fresh-frozen femurs were cleaned of soft tissue and prepared for mounting the strain gages (Vishay, Raleigh, NC). The student strain gages were mounted at the anterior, lateral and medial surfaces of a femur.