Aim of this cadaveric biomechanical study was to describe the detailed anatomy of the static medial patellar stabilizers and further determine the role of each of them in preventing lateral patellar dislocation. Eight cadaver knees, after removing the skin and subcutaneous tissues, were used in the study. The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), the medial retinaculum (MR) the medial patellomeniscal ligament (MPML), and the medial patellotibial ligament (MPTL) were dissected. Their origins, insertions, orientations and sizes were recorded. To the medial stabilizers, a tension of 10 pounds was applied, using a tensiometer held in a semicircular device while the knees were kept in 30 degrees of flexion. Then, the previously described ligaments were dissected and the resultant displacement recorded. The most anatomically distinct structure is the MPFL, whose length varies from 45-50 mm, and its width from 10-20 mm at its origin (medial femoral epicondyle) to 20-30 mm at its insertion to the patella. The "meshing" of the MPFL fibers to the fibers of the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) close to its patellar insertion was the most interesting and very important finding. The contribution of MPFL to medial stability was more than 50%. Of the remaining ligaments, MPML contributes 24% and the MPTL and MR contribute only 13% respectively. The MPFL is the strongest medial static patellar stabilizer. Its contribution to patellar stability against lateral dislocation is far more than 50%, since its meshing with the VMO, shortens its fibers which thus pulls the patella to the medial part of the femoral groove and keeps it in the trochlea during the initial 20 degrees -30 degrees of flexion.

Recent epidemiologic data demonstrate a dramatic increase in the incidence of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), thus dispelling the mistaken belief that renal prognosis is benign in NIDDM. Currently, the leading cause of ESRD in the United States, Japan, and in most industrialized Europe is NIDDM, accounting for nearly 90% of all cases of diabetes. In addition to profound economic costs, patients with NIDDM and diabetic nephropathy have a dramatically increased morbidity and premature mortality. NIDDM-related nephropathy varies widely among racial and ethnic groups, genders and lifestyles; and gender may interact with race to affect the disease progression. While the course of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) progresses through well-defined stages, the natural history of NIDDM is less well characterized. NIDDM patients with coronary heart disease have a higher urinary albumin excretion rate at the time of diagnosis and follow-up. This greater risk may also be associated with hypertension and hyperlipidemia, and genes involved in blood pressure are obvious candidate genes for diabetic nephropathy. Hyperglycemia appears to be an important factor in the development of proteinuria in NIDDM, but its role and the influence of diet are not yet clear. Tobacco smoking can also be deleterious to the diabetic patient, and is also associated with disease progression. Maintaining euglycemia, stopping smoking and controlling blood pressure may prevent or slow the progression of NIDDM-related nephropathy and reduce extrarenal injury. Treatment recommendations include early screening for hyperlipidemia, appropriate exercise and a healthy diet. Cornerstones of management should also include: (1) educating the medical community and more widely disseminating data supporting the value of early treatment of microalbuminuria; (2) developing a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team approach that involves physicians, nurses, diabetes educators and behavioral therapists; and (3) intensifying research in this field.

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1. The translation and cultural adaptation led to the development of the official Polish versions of the DASH and QuickDASH questionnaires. 2. Although we have provided some evidence of content validity, additional testing for the retention of psychometric properties of the translated questionnaire is recommended.