Science Fiction
The trochlear groove of traditional knee implants accommodates the Q-Angle for both men and women.
Science Fact
There is a significant difference in the Q-Angle between female and male knees.6-9
This means that a female patella tracks over the distal femur at a greater angle than that of a male. This is an important consideration because a maltracking patella has been associated with pain and patellar subluxation and is more commonly seen in women.10
Comparing the Facts
The Zimmer Gender Solutions™NexGen® High-Flex Implants are the only knee implants that address the greater trochlear groove angle. The angle has been increased by 3° to accommodate the distinct Q-Angle of the female anatomy.
6. Aglietti P, Insall JN, Cerulli G.
Patellar pain and incongruence. I: measurements of incongruence. Clin
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7. Hsu RWW, Himeno S, Coventry MB, Chao EYS. Normal axial alignment of the lower extremity and load-bearing distribution at the knee. Clin Orthop. 1990;255:215-227.
8. Woodland LH, Francis RS. Parameters and comparisons of the quadriceps angle of collegeaged men and women in the supine and standing positions. American Journal of Sports Medicine. 1992;20(2):208-211.
9. Livingston LA. The quadriceps angle: a review of the literature. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 1998;28(2):105-109.
10. Csintalan RP, Schulz MM, Woo J, McMahon PJ, Lee TQ. Gender differences in patellofemoral joint biomechanics. Clin Orthop . September 2002;402:260-269.
