Tibial tubercle position and patellar height as indicators of malalignment in women with anterior knee pain.

In this study, we evaluated 70 limbs in 42 women with anterior knee pain. We investigated tibial tubercle position and patellar height indices as indicators of malalignment. Tibial tubercle rotation angles were determined by computed tomography, and patellar height indicators, Insall-Salvati, modified Insall-Salvati, Caton, and Blackburne indices were calculated on lateral knee roentgenograms. The results were compared to values obtained from 80 limbs in 40 healthy female volunteers. Tibial tubercle rotation angle was 68.1 degrees (+/-3.6) in the study group and 70.3 degrees (+/-3.8) in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P< 0. 01). Patellar height indicators were not statistically different between the two groups. These results suggested that patellar height is not a malalignment indicator in female patients with anterior knee pain. These patients should be investigated by computed tomography to determine tibial tubercle position. Copyright 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.