A New Perspective to Assess Patellar Surface-Trochlear Sulcus Compatibility: Narrowed Patellar Angle is Associated with Greater Trochlear Sulcus Angle

Abstract

Objective: In this study, the relationship between patella angle - trochlear sulcus angle (TSA) discrepancy was investigated. A specific cutoff value of patella angle (PA), TSA, trochlear groove depth (TGD), and medial trochlear/lateral trochlear length (MT/LT) ratio for effusion, fat-pad edema, chondromalacia, meniscal and ligament tear were investigated. By doing so, to the best of our knowledge, we bridged the gap in literature since these relationships between the above-mentioned measurements have almost never been examined. Methods: A total of 446. patients were evaluated on magnetic resonance imaging. PA and TSA were calculated with. the highest specificity and sensitivity in predicting effusion, fat-pad edema, and patellar chondromalacia. A specific cutoff value of PA, TSA, TGD and MT/LT for effusion, fat-pad edema, chondromalacia, meniscal tear, and ligament tear were investigated. Results: A low-level and insignificant correlation was found between PA and TSA in the negative direction. TSA value. with the highest sensitivity and specificity in predicting the presence of effusion, fat-pad, and chondromalacia was found ≤131, ≤129.6, and >125.8, respectively. Tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance. measurement was significantly less in the group with Medial Meniscus (MM) rupture. Increased TT-TG distance posed a risk for quadriceps tendinosis 1.127 times and increased medial trochlea length (MT) posed a risk for quadriceps tendinosis 1.167 times. Conclusion: Certain cutoff values of PA and TSA may predispose risk for meniscal tear, effusion, fat-pad edema, and chondromalacia. A negative correlation was present between the patella angle and TSA.