Proximal patellar tendinosis and abnormalities of patellar tracking.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether an association exists between patellar tendinosis and abnormal patellar tracking.


METHODS
The MRI examinations of 630 patients (i.e. 860 knees) referred with anterior knee pain over a 4-year period were assessed in retrospect for the presence of patellar tendinosis and abnormal patellar tracking. The images of the patients with patellar tendinosis were reviewed and the location within the patellar tendon was recorded.


RESULTS
There were 44 knees with proximal patellar tendinosis. Twenty-four of these were considered to have normal patellar tracking and 20 to have abnormal patellar tracking. In the group of 816 knees without proximal patellar tendinosis, 581 were considered to have normal patellar tracking and 235 knees to have abnormal patellar tracking. When the two groups were compared there was a statistically significant difference in the ratio of patients with and without abnormal tracking.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients referred with anterior knee pain or suspected abnormal patellar tracking there is a significant association between proximal patellar tendinosis and abnormal patellar tracking.
Allen
G M
GM
Royal Hospital Haslar, Gosport, UK.
Tauro
P G
PG
Ostlere
S J
SJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000209:etiology; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000150:complications; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010329:Patella / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013708:Tendon Injuries; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology*