Herzog, WalterSawatsky, Andrew James2013-05-242013-11-122013-05-242013Sawatsky, A. J. (2013). The Effect of Vastus Medialis Transection on Patellofemoral Contact Pressure and Patellar Tracking (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/28093http://hdl.handle.net/11023/731The purpose of this thesis was to examine the effects of imbalance between the forces exerted by vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis on patellofemoral peak contact pressures, areas, shapes, and patellar tracking before and after the removal of VM. New Zealand White rabbits were used and patellofemoral contact mechanics were evaluated at 30°, 60° and 90° and patellar tracking was recorded from 30°-90° before and after VM transection. Following removal of VM, there were no changes in patellofemoral contact mechanics and patellar tracking. We conclude that VM weakness does not cause changes in rabbit patellofemoral contact mechanics. Since muscular alignment and knee joint geometry are similar in human and rabbits, we question the idea of VM weakness as a cause for patellar mal-tracking and patellofemoral joint pain.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.AnatomyRehabilitation and TherapyPatellofemoral painKnee mechanicsPatellar trackingMuscle weaknessJoint contact pressureKnee rehabilitationJoint biomechanicsmaster thesis10.11575/PRISM/28093