scholarly journals Patellar Kinematics, Part II: The Influence of the Depth of the Trochlear Groove in Subjects With and Without Patellofemoral Pain

2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (10) ◽  
pp. 965-973 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher M Powers

Abstract Background and Purpose. A shallow intercondylar groove has been implicated as being contributory to abnormal patellar alignment. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the depth of the intercondylar groove on patellar kinematics. Subjects. Twenty-three women (mean age=26.8 years, SD=8.5, range=14–46) with a diagnosis of patellofemoral pain and 12 women (mean age=29.1 years, SD=5.0, range=24–38) without patellofemoral pain participated. Only female subjects were studied because of potential biomechanical differences between sexes. Methods. Patellar kinematics were assessed during resisted knee extension using kinematic magnetic resonance imaging. Measurements of medial and lateral patellar displacement and tilt were correlated with the depth of the trochlear groove (sulcus angle) at 45, 36, 27, 18, 9, and 0 degrees of knee flexion using regression analysis. Results. The depth of the trochlear groove was found to be correlated with patellar kinematics, with increased shallowness being predictive of lateral patellar tilt at 27, 18, 9, and 0 degrees of flexion and of lateral patellar displacement at 9 and 0 degrees of flexion (r=.51–.76). Conclusions and Discussion. The results of this study indicate that bony structure is an important determinant of patellar kinematics at end-range knee extension (0°–30°).

2010 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lílian Ramiro Felicio ◽  
Marcelo Camargo Saad ◽  
Rogério Ferreira Liporaci ◽  
Augusto do Prado Baffa ◽  
Antônio Carlos dos Santos ◽  
...  

Purpose:To evaluate patellar kinematics of volunteers without knee pain at rest and during isometric contraction in open- and closed-kinetic-chain exercises.Methods:Twenty individuals took part in this study. All were submitted to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during rest and voluntary isometric contraction (VIC) in the open and closed kinetic chain at 15°, 30°, and 45° of knee flexion. Through MRI and using medical e-film software, the following measurements were evaluated: sulcus angle, patellar-tilt angle, and bisect offset. The mixed-effects linear model was used for comparison between knee positions, between rest and isometric contractions, and between the exercises.Results:Data analysis revealed that the sulcus angle decreased as knee flexion increased and revealed increases with isometric contractions in both the open and closed kinetic chain for all knee-flexion angles. The patellar-tilt angle decreased with isometric contractions in both the open and closed kinetic chain for every knee position. However, in the closed kinetic chain, patellar tilt increased significantly with the knee flexed at 15°. The bisect offset increased with the knee flexed at 15° during isometric contractions and decreased as knee flexion increased during both exercises.Conclusion:VIC in the last degrees of knee extension may compromise patellar dynamics. On the other hand, it is possible to favor patellar stability by performing muscle contractions with the knee flexed at 30° and 45° in either the open or closed kinetic chain.


2015 ◽  
Vol 21 (4.1) ◽  
pp. 638-642
Author(s):  
Andrius Brazaitis ◽  
Algirdas Tamosiunas ◽  
Janina Tutkuviene

Purpose. The aim of the present study was to investigate tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance dynamics in patients with patellofemoral pain (PFP) and pain free individuals by using full weight bearing kinematic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) And correlation with patellar instability. Materials and methods. 51 female individuals with PFP and 26 pain free female individuals participated in the study. The kinematic MRI was performed with 1,5 T MRI unit and full-weight bearing. TT-TG distance, bissect offset (BSO) and patellar tilt angle (PTA) were measured in steps of 10° between 50° of flexion to full extension. Results. The TT–TG was higher in PFP patients compared to volunteers’ from 40° to full extension. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). PFP patients demonstrated statistically significantly greater TT-TG distance increase from 30° to full extension. BSO and PTA were moderately correlated to TT-TG from 20° of flexion to full extension. Conclusion. TT-TG distance is dynamic and increases significantly during extension in patients with PFP and pain free individuals, depending on knee flexion angle. It shows different pattern of dynamics in PFP group. TT-TG distance is associated with patellar instability (BSO and PTA) at low degrees of flexion.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Jianghui Qin ◽  
Dongyang Chen ◽  
Zhihong Xu ◽  
Dongquan Shi ◽  
Jin Dai ◽  
...  

Purpose.To determine whether the sulcus angle and the lateral to medial facet ratio correlate with patella lateral displacement and tilt in patients without patella instability.Methods.Computed tomography images of the lower limb of 64 patients without known arthropathy were collected. Three-dimensional models of the lower limb with a unified coordinate system were rebuilt by using Mimics software. The sulcus angle, lateral to medial facet ratio, lateral trochlear inclination of the patellar groove, tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, bisect offset index, and lateral tilt of the patella were measured. Pearson’s correlation test was used to determine the relationship between the aforementioned parameters.Results.Data from 51 patients were analyzed. The sulcus angle was negatively correlated with lateral tilt inclination (p<0.001,r=0.8406) and positively correlated with the bisect offset index (p=0.003,r=0.634) and patellar tilt (p=0.03,r=0.551); the lateral to medial facet ratio was positively correlated with TT-TG distance (p=0.003,r=0.643) and bisect offset index (p=0.026,r=0.559).Conclusion.The sulcus angle and lateral to medial facet ratio of the patellar groove can influence patella tracking in patients with stable knee joints.


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110410
Author(s):  
Amrit V. Vinod ◽  
Alex M. Hollenberg ◽  
Melissa A. Kluczynski ◽  
John M. Marzo

Background: Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction is an established operative procedure to restore medial restraining force in patients with patellar instability. In the setting of a shallow sulcus, it is unclear whether an isolated MPFL reconstruction is sufficient to restore patellofemoral stability. Hypothesis: Progressively increasing the sulcus angle would have an adverse effect on the ability of an MPFL reconstruction to restrain lateral patellar motion. Study Design: Controlled laboratory study. Methods: Seven fresh-frozen human cadaveric knees were harvested and prepared for experimentation. Each specimen was run through the following test conditions: native, lateral retinacular release, lateral retinacular repair, MPFL release, MPFL reconstruction, and MPFL reconstruction with trochlear flattening. Four 3-dimensional printed wedges (10°, 20°, 30°, and 40°) were created to insert beneath the native trochlea to raise the sulcus angle incrementally and simulate progressive trochlear flattening. For each test condition, the knee was positioned at 0°, 15°, 30°, and 45° of flexion, and the force required to displace the patella 1 cm laterally at 10 mm/s was measured. Group comparisons were made with repeated measures analysis of variance. Results: In the setting of an MPFL reconstruction, as the trochlear groove was incrementally flattened, the force required to laterally displace the patella progressively decreased. A 10° increase in the sulcus angle significantly reduced the force at 15° ( P = .01) and 30° ( P = .03) of knee flexion. The force required to laterally displace the patella was also significantly lower at all knee flexion angles after the addition of the 20°, 30°, and 40° wedges ( P≤ .05). Specifically, a 20° increase in the sulcus angle reduced the force by 29% to 36%; a 30° increase, by 35% to 43%; and a 40° increase, by 40% to 47%. Conclusion: Despite an MPFL reconstruction, the force required to laterally displace the patella decreased as the sulcus angle was increased in our cadaveric model. Clinical Relevance: An isolated MPFL reconstruction may not be sufficient to restore patellar stability in the setting of a shallow or flat trochlea. Patients with an abnormal sulcus angle may have recurrent instability postoperatively if treated with an isolated MPFL reconstruction.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (05) ◽  
pp. 425-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ran Xiong ◽  
Cheng Chen ◽  
Li Yin ◽  
Xiaoyuan Gong ◽  
Jiangming Luo ◽  
...  

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to detect the correlation between axial scan orientation discrepancy and the knee anatomical parameters associated with patellofemoral instability during computed tomography (CT) scanning. CT scan data of 16 knees from 16 healthy subjects were retrieved. The reslicing processes were performed to simulate different axial scan orientations generated due to leg adduction/abduction during CT scanning. Eight parameters (tibial tubercle to trochlear groove [TT-TG], tibial tubercle to posterior cruciate ligament [TT-PCL], patellar tilt, lateral trochlear inclination, sulcus angle, trochlear depth, trochlear facet asymmetry, and trochlear condyle asymmetry) of five angles (neutral zero, 4/8 degrees of adduction and 4/8 degrees abduction) were quantified. All eight parameters showed varying degrees of deviations to the different axial scan orientations. TT-TG, patellar tilt, lateral trochlear inclination, and trochlear condyle asymmetry were relatively sensitive to axial scan orientation changes, whereas TT-PCL, sulcus angle, trochlear depth, and trochlear facet asymmetry were relatively insensitive. Although the sensitivities are various, surgeons should be aware of this situation and make necessary corrections.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. 232596712110282
Author(s):  
Gherardo Pagliazzi ◽  
Jutta M. Ellermann ◽  
Cathy S. Carlson ◽  
Kevin G. Shea ◽  
Elizabeth A. Arendt

Background: Understanding the morphology of cartilage/bony maturation in preadolescents may help explain adult trochlear variation. Purpose: To study trochlear morphology during maturation in children and infants using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Study Design: Descriptive laboratory study. Methods: Twenty-four pediatric cadaveric knees (10 male and 14 female knees; age, 1 month to 10 years) were included. High-resolution imaging of the distal femoral secondary ossification center was performed using 7-T or 9.4-T MRI scanners. Three-dimensional MRI scans were produced, and images were reformatted; 3 slices in the axial, sagittal, and coronal planes images were analyzed, with coronal and sagittal imaging used for image orientation. Biometric analysis included lateral and medial trochlear height (TH); cartilaginous sulcus angle (CSA); osseous sulcus angle (OSA); trochlear depth; and trochlear facet (TF) length symmetry. Sex comparisons were considered when ≥1 specimen from both sexes of the same age was available; these included 11 knees spanning 4 age groups (ages 1, 3, 4, and 7 years). Results: The analysis of trochlear morphology showed a lateral TH greater than the medial TH at all ages. The thickest cartilage was found on the lateral TF in the younger specimens. Regarding the development of osseous and cartilaginous trochlear contour, a cartilaginous sulcus was present in the 3-month-old specimen and continued to deepen up to the age of 4 years. The shape of the osseous center evolved from round (1 month) to oval (9 months) to rectangular (2 years); no distinct bony trochlear sulcus was present, although a well-formed cartilaginous sulcus was present. The first evidence of formation of a bony sulcus was at 4 years. By the age of 7 to 8 years, the bony contour of the adult distal femur resembled its cartilaginous contour. Female samples had a shallower CSA and OSA than did the male ones in all samples that had a defined OSA. Conclusion: Female trochlear grooves tended to be shallower (flatter). The lateral trochlea was higher (TH) and wider (TF length) during growth than was the medial trochlea in both sexes; furthermore, the development of the osseous sulcus shape lagged behind the development of the cartilaginous sulcus shape in the authors’ study population. Clinical Relevance: Bony anatomy of the trochlear groove did not match the cartilaginous anatomy in preadolescent children, suggesting that caution should be used when interpreting bony anatomy in this age group.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yike Dai ◽  
Heyong Yin ◽  
Chongyang Xu ◽  
Hongrui Zhang ◽  
Ai Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Risk factors for the progression of patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA) are poorly understood. This research aims to evaluate the association between patellofemoral joint (PFJ) morphology and alignment with the radiographic severity of PFOA.Methods: A retrospective analysis of CT scan and lateral radiograph data were acquired in patients with PFOA. The radiographic severity of PFOA and tibiofemoral OA (TFOA), lateral and medial trochlear inclination angle, sulcus angle and the Wiberg classification of patella morphology, the congruence angle, patellar tilt angle, and lateral patellar angles, and tibial tubercle trochlear groove distance (TT-TG), patella height (i.e., Caton-Deschamps index) were assessed using CT scans and sagittal radiographs of the knee. All the PFJ morphology and alignment data were divided into quarters and the relationship between each measure and the severity of PFOA was investigated.Results: By studying 150 patients with PFOA, we found a U-shaped relationship between the Caton-Deschamps index and the severity of PFOA (P <0.001). A lower value of sulcus angle and lateral patellar angle, a higher value of congruence angle, and type III patella were associated with more severity of lateral PFOA. Compared with the highest quarter of each measure, the adjusted odds ratios (OR) of the severity of PFOA in the lowest quarter of sulcus angle, lateral patellar angle, and congruence angle, and type I patella was 8.80 (p=0.043), 16.51 (P <0.001), 0.04(P <0.001), and 0.18 (p=0.048) respectively.Conclusions: Extreme value of patella height, a higher value of lateral patellar displacement and lateral patellar tilt, lower value of sulcus angle, and type III patella were associated with more severity of PFOA.


Author(s):  
Marc-Daniel Ahrend ◽  
Tobias Eisenmann ◽  
Moritz Herbst ◽  
Boyko Gueorguiev ◽  
Gabriel Keller ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Identifying anatomical risk factors on recurrent dislocation after medial reefing is important for deciding surgical treatment. The present study aimed to retrospectively analyze the preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based parameters of patients treated with medial reefing and whether these parameters lead to a higher risk of recurrent dislocation. Methods Fifty-five patients (18.6 ± 6.6 years) who underwent medial reefing after primary traumatic patellar dislocation (84% with medial patellofemoral ligament [MPFL] rupture) were included. Patients were followed up for at least 24 months postoperatively (3.8 ± 1.2 years) to assess the incidence of recurrent patellar dislocation. In patients without recurrent dislocation, the Kujala and subjective IKDC scores were assessed. Moreover, the tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG), sulcus angle, patellar tilt, patellar shift, and lateral trochlea index (LTI) were measured. The patellar height was measured using the Caton-Dechamps (CDI), Blackburne-Peel (BPI), and Insall-Salvati index (ISI). The cohort was subclassified into two groups with and without recurrent dislocation. Differences between groups were analyzed with respect to the MRI parameters. Results Forty percent had a pathological sulcus angle of > 145°, 7.2% had an LTI of < 11°, 47.3% had a patellar tilt of > 20°, and 36.4% had a TT-TG of ≥ 16 mm. Increased patellar height was observed in 34.5, 65.5, and 34.5% of the patients as per CDI, BPI, and ISI, respectively. Nineteen (34.5%) patients suffered from recurrent dislocation. Compared with patients without recurrent dislocation, those with recurrent dislocation had a significantly lower LTI (p = 0.0467). All other parameters were not significantly different between the groups. Risk factor analysis showed higher odds ratios (OR > 2), although not statistically significant, for MPFL rupture (OR 2.05 [95% confidence interval 0.38–11.03], LTI (6.6 [0.6–68.1]), TT-TG (2.9 [0.9–9.2]), and patellar height according to ISI (2.3 [0.7–7.5]) and CDI (2.3 [0.7–7.5])). Patients without recurrent dislocation had a Kujala score of 93.7 ± 12.1 (42–100) points and an IKDC score of 90.6 ± 11.7 (55.2–100) points. Conclusion Anatomical, MRI-based parameters should be considered before indicating medial reefing. A ruptured MPFL, an LTI < 11°, a TT-TG ≥ 16 mm, a patellar tilt > 20 mm, and an increased patellar height according to ISI and CDI were found to be associated, although not significantly, with a higher risk (OR > 2) of recurrent patellar dislocation after medial reefing. Thorough preoperative analysis is crucial to reduce the risk of recurrent dislocation in young patient cohorts. Level of evidence Level IV


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 232596712092548
Author(s):  
Matthew Colatruglio ◽  
David C. Flanigan ◽  
Sarah Harangody ◽  
Robert A. Duerr ◽  
Christopher C. Kaeding ◽  
...  

Background: Recurrent patellar instability is frequently treated surgically with reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). Patients with significant patella alta, trochlear dysplasia, and/or an elevated tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance may benefit from a concurrent bony procedure such as tibial tubercle osteotomy or trochleoplasty. The indications to perform such procedures are traditionally based on imaging criteria but remain controversial. Patellar apprehension is common in patients with patellar instability but typically resolves in higher degrees of knee flexion. Hypothesis: The persistence of patellar apprehension at greater than 60° of knee flexion is associated with patella alta, an increased TT-TG distance, and trochlear dysplasia. Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 76 patients with recurrent patellar instability were prospectively identified in a sports medicine clinic. Patellar apprehension was evaluated in each patient. Apprehension was defined as the patient reporting that the patella felt unstable to lateral patellar translation. Apprehension was first assessed at full knee extension and repeatedly assessed as the knee was flexed in 10° intervals, as measured using a goniometer. The degree of flexion at which patellar apprehension disappeared was recorded. Plain radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans were obtained for all patients. Patellar height was assessed with the Caton-Deschamps (CD) index, and trochlear morphology was assessed through measurements of the sulcus angle and depth on MRI and classified using the Dejour classification system. Imaging measurements of patients in whom apprehension resolved by 60° of knee flexion were compared with measurements for those with apprehension that persisted deeper into flexion. Results: Apprehension resolved by 60° of flexion in 56 patients and persisted into deeper flexion in 20 patients. The patients with a delayed resolution of apprehension demonstrated a higher CD index; elevated TT-TG distance; increased sulcus angle; decreased sulcus depth; and higher incidence of Dejour type B, C, or D dysplasia (all P < .05). Of the 20 patients with a delayed resolution of apprehension, 18 had either Dejour type B, C, or D dysplasia or a CD index of at least 1.30. A delayed resolution of apprehension was present in 11 of the 16 patients with Dejour type B, C, or D dysplasia. Conclusion: Overall, 90% of patients with significant patella alta and the majority of patients with high-grade trochlear dysplasia demonstrated patellar apprehension that persisted beyond 60° of knee flexion. Additionally, 90% of patients with persistent apprehension had significant patella alta and/or trochlear dysplasia. Further work is needed to evaluate the utility of these findings to inform surgical decision-making in this population.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (10) ◽  
pp. 2444-2453 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luiz Felipe Ambra ◽  
Betina B. Hinckel ◽  
Elizabeth A. Arendt ◽  
Jack Farr ◽  
Andreas H. Gomoll

Background:Focal cartilage lesions in the patellofemoral (PF) joint are common. Several studies correlated PF risk factors with PF instability, anterior knee pain, and PF arthritis; however, there is a lack of evidence correlating those factors to PF focal cartilage lesions.Purpose:To evaluate the influence of the anatomic PF risk factors in patients with isolated focal PF cartilage lesions.Study Design:Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.Methods:Patients with isolated PF focal cartilage lesions were included in the cartilage lesion group, and patients with other pathologies and normal PF cartilage were included in the control group. Multiple PF risk factors were accessed on magnetic resonance imaging scans: patellar morphology (patellar width, patellar thickness, and patellar angle), trochlear morphology (trochlear sulcus angle, lateral condyle index, and trochlear sulcus depth), patellar height (Insall-Salvati ratio and Caton-Deschamps index), axial patellar positioning (patellar tilt, angle of Fulkerson), and quadriceps vector (tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove distance).Results:A total of 135 patients were included in the cartilage lesion group and 100 in the control group. As compared with the control group, the cartilage lesion group had a higher sulcus angle ( P = .0007), lower trochlear sulcus depth ( P < .0001), lower angle of Fulkerson ( P < .0001), lower patellar width ( P = .0003), and higher Insall-Salvati ratio ( P < .0001). From the patients in the cartilage lesion group, 36% had trochlear dysplasia; 27.6%, patella alta; and 24.7%, abnormal patellar tilt. These parameters were more frequent in the cartilage lesion group ( P < .0001). Trochlear lesions were more frequent in men, presented at an older age, and had fewer associated anatomic risk factors. Patellar lesions, conversely, were more frequent in women, presented at younger age, and were more closely associated with anatomic risk factors.Conclusion:PF anatomic abnormalities are significantly more common in patients with full-thickness PF cartilage lesions. Trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, and excessive lateral patellar tilt are the most common correlated factors, especially in patellar lesions.


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