title: Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction alters the patellar alignment.
abstract: Although there are many articles dealing with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, there are none dealing with the possibility of changes of the patellofemoral alignment after these procedures. Forty-six patients were evaluated preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively, after undergoing intra-articular ACL reconstruction, for changes of the patellofemoral alignment. Patella-tilt and congruence angles were measured on tangential view radiographs that were taken in the supine position. Analysis of covariance was performed and revealed a significant change of the congruence angle 1 year postoperatively. The patella-tilt did not change. One year postoperatively, the patella shifted on average 5 degrees medially after ACL grafting. It can be deduced that anterior knee pain after ACL reconstruction could be caused by distinct changes in the patellofemoral alignment.
authors: University Clinic of Traumatology, Vienna, Austria.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Muellner
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Kaltenbrunner
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Nikolic
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mittlboeck
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Schabus
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Vécsei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D010329:Patella / Q000473:pathology*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012421:Rupture