OBJECTIVE: To use an extremity magnetic resonance system to perform kinematic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the patellofemoral joint to qualitatively assess the effect of bracing on patellar position. DESIGN AND SETTING: Subjects underwent kinematic MRI of the symptomatic extremity with a 0.2-Tesla extremity magnetic resonance system. Images were obtained using a knee coil and a T1-weighted, spin echo pulse sequence. SUBJECTS: Seven female patients with patellofemoral joint symptoms. MEASUREMENTS: FOUR DIFFERENT AXIAL SECTIONS WERE OBTAINED FOR EACH POSITION: extension and 3 positions of flexion up to 36 degrees . An appropriate-sized patellofemoral brace was applied, and the kinematic MRI procedure was repeated. RESULTS: Six patients had lateral displacement of the patella, and 1 patient had medial displacement of the patella. After application of the brace, 6 patients (5 with lateral displacement and 1 with medial displacement, 86%) exhibited correction (5) or improvement (1 with lateral displacement) in the abnormal patellar positions, and 1 patient had worsening of the abnormal position of the patella. CONCLUSIONS: We used kinematic MRI to determine the presence of abnormal patellar positioning. Application of the brace counteracted the abnormal patellar positions in most of the patients studied.
OBJECTIVE: To use an extremity magnetic resonance system to perform kinematic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the patellofemoral joint to qualitatively assess the effect of bracing on patellar position. DESIGN AND SETTING: Subjects underwent kinematic MRI of the symptomatic extremity with a 0.2-Tesla extremity magnetic resonance system. Images were obtained using a knee coil and a T1-weighted, spin echo pulse sequence. SUBJECTS: Seven female patients with patellofemoral joint symptoms. MEASUREMENTS: FOUR DIFFERENT AXIAL SECTIONS WERE OBTAINED FOR EACH POSITION: extension and 3 positions of flexion up to 36 degrees . An appropriate-sized patellofemoral brace was applied, and the kinematic MRI procedure was repeated. RESULTS: Six patients had lateral displacement of the patella, and 1 patient had medial displacement of the patella. After application of the brace, 6 patients (5 with lateral displacement and 1 with medial displacement, 86%) exhibited correction (5) or improvement (1 with lateral displacement) in the abnormal patellar positions, and 1 patient had worsening of the abnormal position of the patella. CONCLUSIONS: We used kinematic MRI to determine the presence of abnormal patellar positioning. Application of the brace counteracted the abnormal patellar positions in most of the patients studied.
Authors: D J Hunter; W Harvey; K D Gross; D Felson; P McCree; L Li; K Hirko; B Zhang; K Bennell Journal: Osteoarthritis Cartilage Date: 2011-01-11 Impact factor: 6.576