Early X-ray Manifestations and Evolution of Chondromalacia of Patella / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Radiologic examination was carried out on 114 subjects with chondromalacia ofpatella with follow up study for 1～17 years.All patients had a history of injury and/or overstrainedknee. The main early X-ray findings weresubchondral bone absorption and cystic degeneration ofpatella,sclerosis and haziness of the articular surface of patella, formation of small spur,subchon-dral bone absorption of articular surface of the femur,synovial thickening,patellar ligament widenedwith indistinct margin, hazy reticular appearance of subpatella fat, and thickened quadriceps femoraltendon etc. The X-ray manifestations of patella and adjacent tissue of patella became progressivelymore obvious but sparing the soft tissue with elapse of time.