Normative value of the patellar tendon size: A sonographic study of a cohort of healthy adults in a suburb of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine patellar tendon (PT) size using sonographic technique. Materials and Methods: PT thickness (PTT), width, and cross-sectional area (CSA) were measured in 277 healthy adults. Mean was computed for patella tendon thickness, its width and CSA for the population. Thereafter, PT was correlated with, height, weight, and body mass index (BMI). Results: In the sample, 31.0% were male and 69.0% were female. Mean PTT, width, and CSA for the population were 4.7 ± 0.4 mm, 22.4 ± 3.8 mm, and 8.3 ± 1.7 mm2, respectively. Mean PTT was 4.8 ± 0.9 mm for men and 4.7 ± 0.2 mm for women; PT was significantly wider and thicker in men than women (P 0.05). Correlation between PT size and BMI was statistically significant. Conclusion: In healthy controls, a sonographically measured PTT >6 mm could be diagnostic of patellar tendinopathy as it appears to be 4 standard deviations greater than the mean. When using sonographic method to define population-specific normal value of PT size, individuals' gender and weight should be taken into cognizance.