The transpatellar approach for the knee in the laboratory.

This paper describes a longitudinal patellar-splitting approach to the knee that includes provision for accurate reconstruction. Our in vitro experiments showed that patellofemoral kinematics and length-change patterns of specific bands of the peripatellar retinacula were not changed significantly by opening and closing the knee via the transpatellar approach. This surgical approach will be useful for in vitro experiments on the knee, when effects due to alterations of internal structures such as cruciate ligament reconstructions or joint replacement are to be studied, avoiding confounding effects caused by changes to the retinacula.