3D laser scanning in conjunction with surface texturing to evaluate shift and reduction of the tibiofemoral contact area after meniscectomy

Meniscectomy significantly change the kinematics of the knee joint by reducing the contact area between femoral condyles and the tibial plateau, but the shift in the contact area has been poorly described. The aim of our investigation was to measure the shift of the tibiofemoral contact area occurring after meniscectomy. We used laser scans combined to surface texturing for measuring the 3D position and area of the femoral and tibial surfaces involved in the joint. In particular, natural condyles (porcine model) were analysed and the reverse engineering approach was used for the interpretation of the results from compression tests and local force measurements in conjunction with staining techniques. The results suggested that laser scans combined to surface texturing may be considered as a powerful tool to investigate the stained contours of the contact area. Beside the largely documented reduction of contact area and local pressure increase, a shift of the centroid of the contact area toward the intercondylar notch was measured after meniscectomy. As a consequence of the contact area shift and pressure increase, cartilage degeneration close to the intercondylar notch may occur.