Figure 1.

The surgical procedure of patellar ligament shortening (PLS) in the rat model of patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis (PFJOA). (A) The 1 cm longitudinal medial para-articular incision, performed after sterilizing the skin. (B) Blunt separation of the patella tendon. (C) Kirschner wire, 7 mm in length and 2 mm in diameter, with a groove with a 1-0 nylon suture at both ends at a distance of 1 mm, was inserted under the patella tendon from medial to lateral. (D) The sutures crossed each other at the proximal end of the patella tendon. (E–G) The sutures were passed under both grooves, and the ligature in the patella ligament was tightened with the knee in a position of maximum extension. (H) The skin was closed with 3-0 nylon sutures.