BACKGROUND: The osseous morphology of the patellofemoral joint is an independent factor that affects the biomechanics of patellofemoral instability. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine age- and gender-related differences in the osseous morphology of the patellofemoral joint in children during skeletal maturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the institutional review board and was HIPAA-compliant. We included 97 children and young adults (age range 5-22 years; 51 girls and 46 boys, mean ages 14.3 years and 13.7 years, respectively). We studied 1.5-T knee MR exams, measuring the osseous morphology of the patellofemoral joint (lateral trochlear inclination, trochlear facet asymmetry, trochlear depth, patellar height ratio, tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance, and lateral patellofemoral angle) for each MR exam. We compared measurements to published values for patellofemoral instability. Physeal patency (open or closing/closed) was determined on MR. We assessed the associations between MR osseous measurements and gender, age and physeal patency using Wilcoxon rank sum test and least square means regression models. RESULTS: The osseous patellofemoral joint morphology measurements were all within a normal range. There were no significant correlations between MR osseous measurements and age, gender or physeal patency. CONCLUSION: During skeletal maturation, age and gender do not affect the osseous morphology or congruency of the patellofemoral joint.
BACKGROUND: The osseous morphology of the patellofemoral joint is an independent factor that affects the biomechanics of patellofemoral instability. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to determine age- and gender-related differences in the osseous morphology of the patellofemoral joint in children during skeletal maturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was approved by the institutional review board and was HIPAA-compliant. We included 97 children and young adults (age range 5-22 years; 51 girls and 46 boys, mean ages 14.3 years and 13.7 years, respectively). We studied 1.5-T knee MR exams, measuring the osseous morphology of the patellofemoral joint (lateral trochlear inclination, trochlear facet asymmetry, trochlear depth, patellar height ratio, tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance, and lateral patellofemoral angle) for each MR exam. We compared measurements to published values for patellofemoral instability. Physeal patency (open or closing/closed) was determined on MR. We assessed the associations between MR osseous measurements and gender, age and physeal patency using Wilcoxon rank sum test and least square means regression models. RESULTS: The osseous patellofemoral joint morphology measurements were all within a normal range. There were no significant correlations between MR osseous measurements and age, gender or physeal patency. CONCLUSION: During skeletal maturation, age and gender do not affect the osseous morphology or congruency of the patellofemoral joint.
Authors: Donald C Fithian; Elizabeth W Paxton; Mary Lou Stone; Patricia Silva; Daniel K Davis; David A Elias; Lawrence M White Journal: Am J Sports Med Date: 2004-05-18 Impact factor: 6.202