Effect of a patellar realignment brace on patellofemoral relationships: evaluation with kinematic MR imaging.
The effect of a newly developed patellar realignment brace was evaluated in 21 patellofemoral joints (19 patients) with patellar subluxation (13 joints with lateral subluxation and eight with medial subluxation) by using active-movement, loaded kinematic magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Sixteen patellofemoral joints (76%) demonstrated a qualitative correction of or improvement in patellar subluxation (ie, centralization of the patella or a decrease in the displacement of the patella) after application of the brace. Four of the five "failures" occurred in patellofemoral joints that had patella alta and/or dysplastic bone anatomy. These results indicate that the patellar realignment brace was able to counteract patellar subluxation in the majority of patellofemoral joints studied, as shown by active-movement, loaded kinematic MR imaging. This brace appears to be useful for conservative treatment of patients with patellofemoral joint pain secondary to patellar malalignment and maltracking.
Shellock
F G
FG
Tower Imaging, Los Angeles, CA 90048.
Mink
J H
JH
Deutsch
A L
AL
Fox
J
J
Molnar
T
T
Kvitne
R
R
Ferkel
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001915:Braces; D003626:Data Display; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D010329:Patella / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013314:Stress, Mechanical