Objective quantification of trochlear dysplasia: Assessment of the difference in morphology between control and chronic patellofemoral instability patients

摘要

Abstract Background Trochlear dysplasia is an important risk factor associated with patellofemoral instability, but it remains difficult to classify with consistency. Currently there is no objective way to quantify the dysplasia. The purpose of this study is to define and quantify objectively the trochlear morphology by volume and length via computed tomography (CT). Methods One-hundred control patients (136 knees) were retrospectively reviewed and compared to 36 consecutive patients (72 knees) who were treated surgically for recurrent patellar instability and known trochlear dysplasia based on a lateral radiograph. Trochlear morphology was analyzed from a pre-operative CT and data presented as trochlear sulcus volume trochlear length. To determine where along the trochlear length dysplasia is most variable, the trochlear length was radiographically divided into thirds, volume was quantified along that section and compared to control trochlear. Results A significant difference in trochlear morphology exists between cohorts, volume (1.98 vs 3.77cm 3 ) and length (31.97 vs 34.66mm) (p 3 vs. 2.94cm 3 , R: 1.95cm 3 vs. 2.93cm 3 ) demonstrated significantly less volume in instability patients (p Conclusion This reproducible technique can be used to quantify the trochlea morphology, in order to describe the severity of a dysplasia. ]]>