Development of an innovative measurement method for patellar tracking disorder.

Zhe Xue,Zhenpeng Guan,Zheng Pei,Chong Tang,Junxiu Jia,Hui Zhang,Kun Zhang,Keshi Zhang

doi:10.18632/aging.202161

Abstract

In this study, we investigated whether the measurement of patellar tracking can be used as a diagnostic parameter of patellofemoral joint disease. Patellar tracking is defined as the movement of the patella in relation to the femorotibial joint within the full range of flexion and extension of the knee joint. The PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, PsychINFO, and AMED databases were used to find relevant articles. Analyzed were the patellar tracking coordinate system and the measurement objects, precision, methods used in those studies, as well as the results obtained. Origin points for coordinate systems varied across the studies. The research object and methods of patellar tracking varied in the studies. Most studies focused on a static description of the internal and external displacement and the internal and external inclination. The in vivo, noninvasive, and six degrees of freedom evaluation of patellar tracking reflect patellar motion more comprehensively, though each of these methods does so in different ways. Dynamic and quantitative evaluation of patellar tracking is still lacking in clinical work. Accurate and quantitative patellar tracking measurement could provide clinicians with a comprehensive evaluation of the stability of the knee joint.

Highlights

A considerable number of patients who suffer from knee pain and instability have abnormal patellar tracking [1]
This paper introduces the progress of patellar tracking research, the definition and naming of the coordinate system, measurement objects, measurement methods, and measurement results
Lin and Amis et al set up the space rectangular coordinate system using the midpoint between the posterior femoral condyles as the origin point (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

A considerable number of patients who suffer from knee pain and instability have abnormal patellar tracking [1]. There are four main pathological mechanisms [5]: (1) abnormalities of the muscles and soft tissues around the knee extension device, including the dynamic structure, such as the morphological abnormalities of the quadriceps [6]; (2) static structural abnormalities, such as a medial patellofemoral ligament injury, severe lateral structure tightness [7], and patella alta [8]; (3) abnormal bony morphology [9], such as increased Q angle, knee valgus, knee hyperextension, and patellar morphology [9, 10]; and (4) abnormal morphology of the external femoral condyle caused by degenerative deformation or dysplasia [11]

Methods

Results

Conclusion