Patellar shape is associated with femoral trochlear morphology in individuals with mature skeletal development

Abstract

Abstract Background As several studies have detected correlations between patellar and femoral trochlear development, this raises the question of whether patellar shape is associated with trochlear developmental outcomes. Methods Patellar shape and femoral trochlear morphology were retrospectively analyzed in 183 subjects, of whom 61 each were classified as having Wiberg type I, II, and III patellae (groups A, B, and C, respectively). The sulcus angle (SA), lateral trochlea inclination angle (LTA), medial trochlear inclination angle (MTA), lateral facet length (LFL), medial facet length (MFL), lateral trochlear height (LTH), medial trochlear height (MTH), trochlea sulcus height (TH), and lateral-medial trochlear facet distance (TD) were analyzed as a means of evaluating trochlear morphology. Trochlear depth, trochlear condyle asymmetry, and trochlear facet asymmetry were additionally calculated, and differences in trochlear morphology and correlations between trochlear morphology and patellar shape were evaluated. Results The femoral trochlear parameters of patients in group A differed significantly from those of patients in groups B and C. No significant differences between groups B and C were evident. Patellar shape was positively correlated with LTA, MTA, MFL, trochlear condyle asymmetry, and trochlear facet asymmetry, and was negatively correlated with SA. Conclusions These data indicated that patellar shape and trochlear morphology are related to one another,which suggest normalized patella morphology surgery and trochlear surgery are better choices for patients with patella instability. Trial registration Retrospectively registered.

Keywords

• Patellar shape
• Trochlear morphology
• Patellofemoral instability
• Knee surgery
• Skeletal development