Original Research Article
Year: 2021 | Month: April-June | Volume: 6 | Issue: 2 | Pages: 208-215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijshr.20210438
Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Study of the Patellofemoral Joint Morphological Abnormalities Predisposing to Patellar Instability
H.P Parekh1, S Aravind Prasad Naik2
1Professor & Head of Department,23rd Year Resident,
Department of Radio-Diagnosis, Shri M.P Shah Medical College, Jamnagar, India.
Corresponding Author: S Aravind Prasad Naik
ABSTRACT
Objectives: The Patellofemoral joint (PFJ) is a complex joint structure with high functional and biomechanical requirements. The purpose of this study is to evaluate cause of patella-femoral joint instability with in-depth evaluation of influence of anatomical risk factors (AF), measurements and anatomical relationships of the patellofemoral joint and various pathologies causing medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) injury that contributes to the patellar maltracking using 1.5 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging.
Materials and Methods: The present prospective study is carried out at department of radiology, shri M P Shah Medical College, Jamnagar. This is study of total 50 patients carried out in 12-month duration from July 2019 to June 2020, in which 50 patients aged between 8 - 68 years selected as study group presented with complaint symptoms of patellofemoral instability, knee pain and maltracking were examined and identified by an orthopaedic surgeon. Patients with the clinical suspicion of a PFJ maltracking were selected for subsequent MRI examination.
Results: The age distribution in our study was in range of 8 years to 68 years with maximum population within 31 to 40 years range, 66 % were male and 34 % female. Their trochlear depth, sulcal angle, trochlear facet asymmetry, lateral inclination angle was found abnormal in 18 cases (36%), 8 (16%) showed patellar alta and 7 (14%) patella baja. Lateralization of patella (> 6 mm) was noted in 18 patients (36%), Medial patellofemoral ligament injuries were seen in 16 (32%) patients on MRI and kissing contusion 10 (20%) patients. A detailed understanding of the anatomy and pathology of the anterior knee compartment is essential for proper imaging interpretation and treatment management.
Conclusion: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has been established as the method of choice, showing high accuracy in patellofemoral joint abnormalities. The present study aims to explore the role of MR imaging in diagnosing the various disorders located in anterior compartment of knee.
Keywords: Joint instability, Patellofemoral joint, MPFL, MR imaging/diagnosis.