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MRI-based measurements delineate reasons for patellofemoral instability
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In this study, researchers found MRI was effective for fully analyzing patellar tilt, patella alta ratios and other measures associated with recurrent patellofemoral instability.
“Our findings demonstrate that MRI is appropriate to help discern recognized pathologic abnormalities,” Michael D. Charles, MD, and colleagues wrote in the study abstract.
Charles and colleagues analyzed MRI results of 40 patients with known patellofemoral instability and compared them to 80 controls. At least two patellofemoral dislocations were known to have already occurred in the instability group, according to the abstract.
Investigators measured trochlear morphologic characteristics, patellar tilt and tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distances on axial slices and patellar height measured on sagittal MRI images.
They detected a significant difference between patellar height in the instability group vs. the control group, according to the abstract. Proximal and distal trochlear morphological characteristics were also significantly different for classic sulcus angle, lateral trochlear inclination and facet asymmetry measurements. The Caton-Deschamps and Insall-Salvati ratios for patella alta were also significantly different between normal patients and recurrent dislocators, as noted in the study.
Disclosure: The authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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