Patellofemoral Evaluation in Korean Patients using Three-dimensional Computed Tomography

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze sex- and laterality-specific patellofemoral alignment using three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT) in normal Korean patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 90 patients (45 men, 45 women; 180 knees) with no history of anterior knee pain or malalignment by physical examination. The mean patient age was 42.2 years (Range 24~66 years). 3D-CT scanning was performed with each patient in the supine position with 15degrees of knee flexion. Patellofemoral joint alignment was evaluated by measuring the sulcus angle, congruence angle, lateral patellofemoral angle, condyle-patellar angle, and condyle-lateral angle. RESULTS: Comparing men and women, respectively, the sulcus angles were 145.9degrees+/-8.9 and 149.4degrees+/-9.7, the congruence angles were 12.6degrees+/-22.7 and 12.0degrees+/-19.6, the lateral patellofemoral angles were 9.9degrees+/-6.0 and 8.5degrees+/-4.3, the condyle-patellar angles (lateral facets) were 14.2degrees+/-7.1 and 11.8degrees+/-4.8, the condyle-patellar angles (patellar axes) were -8.5degrees+/-7.7 and -10.6degrees+/-6.1, and the condyle-lateral angles were 15.5degrees+/-7.6 and 16.4degrees+/-4.0. There was no significant difference in these measurements between left and right knees, but there was a significant difference in the sulcus angle and condyle-patellar angle between men and women (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These data will hopefully serve as a basis for evaluating normal patellofemoral alignment and for diagnosing patellofemoral malalignment in Korean patients.