Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2016, Vol. 34 ›› Issue (3): 343-347.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2016.03.022

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Correlation between patellofemoral morphology and chondromalacia patellae

JIA Meng-yan,SHI Zhan-jun,XIAO Jun,YANG De-sheng,HUANG Zhi-fa   

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery,Nanfang Hospital,Southern Medical University,Guangzhou 510515,China
  • Received:2015-11-24 Online:2016-05-25 Published:2016-06-17

Abstract:

Objective To measure the morphological parameters of patellofemoral joint on MRI and analyze the etiological correlation between patellofemoral morphology and chondromalacia patellae (CP). Methods 371 adult patients undergoing MRI examination were enrolled and those diagnosed with CP were included in the CP group(n=124)and others in the control group(n=247). Prevalence rates of CP were recalculated and grouped according to gender. The lateral patellofemoral angle, sulcus angle, trochlear depth and lateral trochlear inclination angle were measured in the MRI images on axial slices. The CP group was further divided into a mild and severe CP subgroup according to the degree of cartilage damage. The difference of patellofemoral morphology parameters among the CP group and control group, CP group (mild) and CP group (severe) were compared and the relationships among patella tilt, trochlear dysplasia and CP were further analyzed. Results The prevalence rate of CP was 33.42%, of which 49.35%was in women  and  22.12%was in men. Significant differences in the lateral patellofemoral angle (P=0.00), sulcus angle (P=0.00), trochlear depth (P=0.00) and lateral trochlear inclination angle (P=0.02)  could be found in the CP group and control group. However, there were no significant differences between patients in mild CP group and severe CP group in the lateral patellofemoral angle, sulcus angle, trochlear depth and lateral trochlear inclination angle(all P>0.25). Considered gender or not, patellar tilt and trochlear dysplasia were significant correlated with chondromalacia patellae(P=0.00). Conclusion Patellar tilt and trochlear dysplasia are significantly correlated with CP but not the degree of CP.

Key words: Chondromalacia patellae, Patellofemoral morphology, Patellar tilt, Trochlear dysplasia