The use of computerized thermography in the evaluation of non-traumatic anterior knee pain.

Computerized thermography was used to evaluate eight patients with the complaint of non-traumatic anterior knee pain. Computerized thermograms were recorded before and after subjects performed a specific rehabilitation program. Thermographic imaging was then repeated 4 weeks to 8 weeks after the initial thermogram. Among the subject group, thermal asymmetries were noted in the involved knees, but a specific abnormal thermal pattern could not be recognized. Changes in temperature and thermal patterns after exercise and over time were consistent within each subject, but were not consistent between subjects. Thermal asymmetries did not appear to resolve over time. It is felt that the pathology investigated by this study may involve many etiologies, therefore making it difficult to establish a single abnormal thermal pattern with regard to non-traumatic anterior knee pain.