Statements Concerning the Patellofemoral Joint Volume 3 - Issue 5

Lars Blønd*

• Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Zealand University Hospital, Koege, Denmark

Received: February 14, 2020;   Published: March 06, 2020

Corresponding author: Lars Blønd, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The Zealand University Hospital, Koege, Lykkebaekvej 1, DK-4600

DOI: 10.32474/OSMOAJ.2020.03.000171

 

Abstract PDF

Abstract

This is different statements in respect to understanding and treating patients having patellofemoral problems. The statements are based upon scientific data and clinical experience and they reflect the authors opinion. The statements are specifically selected in relation to specific topics with little consensus and/or frequent misunderstandings. Subjects like first time patella dislocations, trochlea anatomy, tibia tubercle trochlea groove distance (TTTG), patella alta, medial patellofemoral ligament reconstructions, trochlear dysplasia, trochleoplasty, anterior knee pain and Hoffa fat pad impingement, will briefly be commented on.

Keywords: Patellofemoral; Patella instability; Radiologic; Trochlear Dysplasia; Patella Alta; Anterior Knee Pain

Introduction

This is a list of statements in respect to understanding and treating patients having patellofemoral symptoms. Some of these statements might be controversial and disruptive in respect to current understandings. The statements are too high degree based upon scientific literature, but they also reflect 25 years of clinical and surgical experience dealing with patellofemoral patients.

First time patella dislocation (FTPD)

Some first FTP dislocators continue to be trouble by instability symptoms, despite they do not redislocate, and they need surgical stabilisation [1]. Two recent metaanalysis demonstrates that relative to conservative treatment, is the outcome of patella stablising surgery favorable, both in respect to risk of redislocation, but also in respect to clinical outcome [2,3]. However you can always prescribe physiotherapy, even so there is still absence of evidence, that this reduce patella instability symptoms. In respect to using a brace after FTPD, did a recent study with more than 600 patients, not find any positive effect of immobilization in a brace, and moreover did see any reduced risk of redislocation for those who had undergone physiotherapy [4].

Trochlea anatomy

Of outmost importance and often overlooked, is when you evaluate the PF joint trochlear configuration, since this change from being more shallow proximal to becoming more deep when going distally. See Figure 1. Numerous scientific papers do not take this key issue into account, and this is a broad problem when reports on different measures that were meant to objectively outline the configuration of the trochlear configuration, are inaccurate. For example, two measures like the sulcus angle and the lateral trochlear inclination angle (LTI) varies substantially from proximal to distal. Studies regularly report on data, where the measures have been obtained relative distally and this has caused discrepancies. Typically, these studies aim to find specific anatomic differences characterizing patients having patellar instability or anterior knee pain (AKP), by a comparison to a group of normal knees. Thereby they overlook significant differences due to the above mentioned problem. These misconceptions are regrettable repeated when later metanalysis are accomplished. These mistakes have led to scientific frauds, like absence in studies searching for a correlation between AKP and anatomy.

Tibial tubercle trochlear grove (TTTG)

What is a normal TTTG distance and what is abnormal? Tan el al. reported that the threshold or cut-off for abnormality is different from MRI and CT scan [5]. In a metanalysis they found the cut off for an abnormal TTTG distance to be less than the often reported 20 mm. When measured on MRI, the mean TT-TG distance for the control group was 9.83 mm (95% CI: 9.11-10.54), while the mean TT-TG distance for patients with patellofemoral instability was 15.33 mm (95% CI: 14.24-16.42). What also have to be taken into account when you evaluate the TTTG distance, is also to correct for the patient’s height [6]. Noteworthy is that new unpublished data (personal message) demonstrate, that an increased TTTG distance, in generally speaking is due to a medialized trochlear groove (TG) and not an externally placed tibial tubercle (TT). This means that the TT-TG to a higher degree reflects trochlear asymmetry. Furthermore, an often claimed misunderstanding is that the TT-TG distance is correlated to the more clinical Q angle, but inconsistency has been highlighted [7]. In conclusion is the Q angle a non-reproducible measure.

Patella alta and radiologic indexes

The second most important factor for patellofemoral malalignment is Patella Alta and new consensus among Patellofemoral specialist are gradually evolving. Patella height should not be correlated to the length of the patella ligament and neither to the patella’s relation to the tibia. What is of interest is the patella engagement into the trochlear groove and the overlap between the patella cartilage and trochlea cartilage surfaces. This relationship depends on the patella configuration and the length of the trochlear. The Patellotrochlear index from Biedert and Albrecht and the later Sagittal Patellofemoral Engagement index measure this engagement [8,9]. Some are still critical about this statement, since those indexes are sensitive to the angle of knee flexion. These indexes are not as reproducible as older measures, as for instance the Insall-Salvati and Caton-Dechamps indexes. However, to measure something irrelevant is a fault and just because old indexes a more reliable, this does not qualify them to be more relevant. Most noteworthy does these old indexes not account for the very variable length of the trochlear. It becomes logic that when the patella cartilage and trochlear cartilage overlaps is a minor figure, measuring only a few millimeters, it by itself becomes less reproducible. See Figure 2. However, with everything said those engagement indexes, are even so the most precise to express the patella height [10]. To understand above mentioned is of almost importance, not only for science, but also in daily clinic settings. My claim is, that when having overlooked those engagement indexes, and instead have used old indexes, this had led to a number of failed surgeries. Number of destabilizations of the distal tubercle, have resulted in a Patella Baja situation, mistakenly interpreted as arthrofibrosis and caused negative outcomes with pain and flexion defects for those affected. In the other end of the spectrum, have lengthening of patella ligaments, due to erroneous assessments mistakenly concluding it was Patella Baja, lead to false surgeries. When it comes in terms to surgical treatment of Patella Alta by distalisation of the tibial tubercle, there have been some controversies. A prevailing misunderstanding is that the knee cartilage in the patellofemoral joint will be overloaded, due to an increased traction forces, when the patella is pulled down. Actually, this is precisely opposite, since the cartilage overlap increase and the pressure per square meter of cartilage will diminish [11].

Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction MPFL-R

In some clinical settings have MPFL-R become a panacea for all patella stabilizing surgeries. This might be a reflection that numerous papers have demonstrated favorable results after MPFL reconstructions. However, most of these papers are with short time follow-up. Papers generally fails to include patients having more pronounced underlying pathomorphology when it comes to longer follow-up studies. Increasing amount of evidence demonstrate that MPFL reconstructions might stabilize most unstable patellae for a period, however if you omit correct the underlining biomechanical problem, the obtained stability is likely to be temporary and the clinical outcome will not only be suboptimal but also deteriorate over time [12,13]. Also noteworthy was the metanalysis from Balcerek et al. [14] who found that the risk of patella re-dislocation was diminished if trochleoplasty plus extensor balancing procedure was done, compared to those having only isolated MPFL reconstructions.

Trochlear dysplasia

Still there is no consensus in respect to define Trochlear Dysplasia. The classic Dejour classification is based upon x-rays and the inter and intra observer variation have been found unreliable [15-18]. A biomechanical study demonstrated that the Dejour classification might be relevant in respect to patellofemorale pressure aspects, but not in respect to stability [19]. That means that the trochlear bump can increase PF pressure and thereby it be related to AKP, however in the most prevailing use of the Dejour classification, namely in relation to patellar instability, there is minor relevance. Several have given different suggestions for TD classifications, however one that is based upon biomechanical and objective findings, and not subjective perceptions, is still absent [7,20]. In a review focusing measurements that characterize TD, the most important objective measurement was found to be the lateral trochlea inclination angle (LTI) [21]. The LTI angle express the proportion of lateral osseous support for the patella [22], and this is supported by simple logic and also a computational study [23]. Since trochlear dysplasia is localized proximal in the groove, it is crucial to measure LTI in one of the most proximal MRI axial slices.

Frequently is the term patella tilt misinterpret. It is right that the patella can tilt laterally, however in most situations this is secondary to a TD configuration having a low LTI. When TD is present you will first of all typically identify a patella with a short medial facet and secondly observe that only the lateral patella facet articulates with the flat trochlea. With this said there are cases with patella tilt due to a tight lateral retinaculum. It is important to separate those two types of origins. If you have a Lateral Patellar Compression Syndrome with the classic movie sign symptom, you can expect a positive outcome by doing a lateral lengthening, however if the tilt is caused by TD, there will be an increased risk of medial patella subluxations [25].

Trochleoplasty

Trochleoplasty is today a well-established procedure, however despite this are there still many who are skeptical. There are still many unanswered questions, but also a number of studies demonstrating favorable outcomes [25-27]. A frequent critical question is the concerns in respect to development of osteoarthritis (OA)? The answer is we don´t know, but data implicate that there is not increased risk [28]. In fact, it is well known that both TD and recurrent patellar instabilities both increases the risk of OA, and there the number of biomechanical and clinical observations that points in the direction that the realignment even protect against further development of OA. It is claimed that Trochleoplasty is a risky procedure, but in a study from Van Sambeeck et al. [29], the rate of complications was found similar to other patella stabilizing procedures Next is if the patella fit the new trochlea. The short answer is yes, however in some rare cases, with a very concave lateral facet of the patella, it will be a problem. Fucentese et al. [30] investigated patellar morphology in knees having TD, and the key morphologic change of the patella, was a decreased medial facet length. This means that when the lateral trochlea inclination angle is normalized after a correctly performed Trochleoplasty, the patella´s lateral facet will articulate with the lateral wall of the new trochlea, and correspondingly the preoperative patella tilt will be reduced. See Figure 3.

Clinical examination

In respect to objectively determine the degree of instability, Zimmermann et al. [31] have recently provided us with a new examination tool. This is the reverse dynamic apprehension test and many surgeons have already in cooperated this as a standard evaluation tool, when deciding for a bony procedure in the treatment of patellar instability.

Anterior knee pain (AKP)

For years it has been discussed if there was a link between AKP in younger age and later patellofemoral osteoarthritis. New data indicate that there is a relation [32,33]. Conchie et al. reported that 7.5 times higher risk of Patellofemoral arthritis if they had AKP in adolescence.

Hoffa fat pad impingement

A frequent misinterpretation is when the term Hoffa Fat Pad Impingement is used as a diagnosis. Hoffa Fat Pad edema is a secondary result of Patella Alta and it is caused by an overload of the proximal part of the Fat Pad. This happens since the Patella is not engaged properly in the trochlear groove, and therefore the load that should have been absorbed by the patella is instead transferred to the Fat Pad instead. This Fat Pad overload is observed as edema on MRI [34-36]. Some papers have documented the relationship between having AKP, Patella alta and Fad Pad edema [11-38].

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