Epidemiology of patellofemoral joint pathologies, our experience at King Hussein medical center

Abstract EN

Background: Patellofemoral joint malconfiguration is noticed in patients with patellofemoral pain and can be correlated with magnetic resonance imaging picture of osteoarthritis.

Aim: To evaluate if patellofemoral joint configuration is correlated with irregularities seen on magnetic resonance imaging in patients with patellofemoral pain.

Methods: Our prospective investigation included 105 patients, aged 18-54 yrs, of both sexes and who were scheduled for MRI scan of the most painful knee ,at King Hussein hospital, King Hussein medical center, Amman, JORDAN, during the period Jan 2018-Sep 2018.Patients were grouped into two groups.

Group I included (n= 50,47.6%)younger patients aged 18-26 yrs and group II included (n=55,52.4%) older patients aged 46-55 yrs.

Knee pain intensity was scored on a 10 verbal analog scale and anterior Knee Pain Scale.

Magnetic resonance imaging irregularities were recorded according to the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Osteoarthritis Knee Score, including patellar cartilage irregularities, patellar osteophytes and Hoffa synovitis and correlated with Insall-Salvati ratio; Trochlear angle ; Patellar tilt angle; Lateral patellar tilt angle and Sulcus angle.

Statistics: Pearson χ2 and Student t tests were used to assess discrepancies between the groups.

Correlations between Magnetic Resonance Imaging Osteoarthritis Knee Score and patellofemoral pain were assessed using regression analysis.

P- values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results: Cartilage patellar irregularities were found in 24% and 10.9%, patellar osteophytes in 70% and 58.2% and Hoffa synovitis in 56% and 63.6% of patients,in groups I and II,respectively.

An increased Insall-Salvati ratio was remarkably seen in patellar osteophytes and Hoffa synovitis.

An increased patellar tilt angle was remarkably found in cartilage patellar irregularities and patellar osteophytes.

Conclusion: Magnetic Resonance Imaging irregularities are correlated with patellofemoral configuration recordings, as increased Insall-Salvati ratio and increased patellar tilt angle in patients with patellofemoral pain.

Some patellofemoral pain patients are more liable to experience patellofemoral osteoarthritis, because some recordings are correlated with patellar osteophytes.