Investigation of the relationship between trochlear morphology and medial patellar cartilage defect using magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate trochlear morphology in patients with medial patellar cartilage defects via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three hundred patients who were diagnosed with grade 2, 3 and 4 medial patellar cartilage defect using MRI according to the International Cartilage Repair Society Classification System and 100 control subjects were evaluated. Trochlear morphology was evaluated based on lateral trochlear inclination (LTI), medial trochlear inclination (MTI), sulcus angle( SA), femoral lateral and medial condyle symmetry, trochlear facet asymmetry, and trochlear width on the axial MR images. The mean SA was significantly higher in the medial patellar cartilage defect group compared to the control group (p<.05). The LTI and MTI of the cartilage defect group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<.05). With the decreasing LTI and MTI, there was an increase in medial patellar cartilage loss. LTI (r=-0.46) and MTI (r=-0.53) were moderately correlated with SA. There was no significant differences in femoral lateral and medial condyle symmetry, trochlear facet asymmetry, and trochlear width between groups with and without medial patellar cartilge defect (p > .05). A flattened medial trochlea is a risk factor for cartilage structural damage of the medial patellofemoral joint, and it plays a role in the development of a defect in the medial patellar cartilage. The medial patellar cartilage defect is associated with the flattened lateral trochlea.

Relationship between patellofemoral joint morphology and chondromalacia patella

“…The rate of trochlear facet asymmetry was lower and that of patellar facet asymmetry was higher in patients with chondromalacia than in those without chondromalacia. However, in a recent study, contrary to our results, no relationship was found between trochlear facet asymmetry and patellar cartilage defect (16). Moreover, in a study by Resorlu et al, no relationship was found between patellar facet asymmetry and chondromalacia patella (17).…”

Morphological analysis of patellofemoral joint in haemophilic arthropathy: A case‐control study

“…In order to proportionally reveal the morphological differences occurring in the patellofemoral joint, ratios such as pML/SA, SD/LCL, MFC‐LFC/LFL, mFL/LFL and ID/LCL were also calculated 23–25 . The study employed two distinct analytical approaches to examine the relationship between arthropathy severity and measured variables.…”

Evaluation of the relationship between the anatomical characteristics of the vastus medialis obliquus muscle and the patella chondral lesion occurrence

“…Patellofemoral (PF) joint incongruency, lower extremity axial malalignment, and abnormal mechanical or functional characteristics of the surrounding muscles and ligaments of the PF joint are some of the predisposing etiological features that the researchers have focused on. [ 3 - 5 ] The muscles and ligaments of the patella primarily provide stability and secondarily allow a concerted motion in the trochlear groove. By drawing it medially, superiorly, and posteriorly, the vastus medialis muscle and its distal part, the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) muscle, stabilize the patella against the vastus lateralis (VL) muscle.…”