The effect of an inclined landing surface on biomechanical variables during a jumping task
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Evidence of abnormal anteroposterior patellar tilt in patients with patellar tendinitis with use of a new radiographic measurement
by
Tyler TF, Hershman EB, Nicholas SJ, Berg JH, McHugh MP.
—
last modified
2009-10-09 15:16
Am J Sports Med. 2002 May-Jun;30(3):396-401.
BACKGROUND: A number of clinical conditions of the patellofemoral joint have been
correlated with abnormal patellofemoral radiographic measurements. HYPOTHESIS: An
abnormal anteroposterior patellar-tilt angle may be a contributing factor to
pathologic conditions of the knee. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective nonrandomized
clinical trial. METHODS: The anteroposterior patellar-tilt angle was measured in
cadaveric knees to determine the best knee position. The radiographs of normal
subjects and patients with patellar tendinitis or patellofemoral pain syndrome
were examined for differences in patellar-tilt angle. RESULTS: Cadaveric
measurements demonstrated highest intertester and intratester reliability at 30
degrees of knee flexion and neutral femoral rotation. Intratester measurements on
normal subjects exhibited high reliability, with a mean anteroposterior tilt
angle of 30.8 degrees +/- 6.7 degrees. In the patellofemoral pain group the mean
anteroposterior tilt angle was 29.1 degrees +/- 8.5 degrees; however, for
patients with patellar tendinitis, it was 25.6 degrees +/- 7.0 degrees,
significantly lower than in the normal population. Furthermore, there was no
difference between the angles of involved and uninvolved knees of patients with
unilateral patellar tendinitis. CONCLUSION: The anteroposterior patellar-tilt
angle is a clinically reliable measurement of patellar tilt in the sagittal plane
that can be used to study patellofemoral tilt in a variety of clinical
situations. The results of this study demonstrate that patients with patellar
tendinitis have abnormal patellar tilt in the sagittal plane.