title: Evaluation of patello-femoral alignment using MRI.
abstract: In evaluating patello-femoral alignment, it is not enough to assess the conformity of the joint two-dimensionally, the direction of the extensor mechanism must be examined three-dimensionally. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we adopted an ideal extensor mechanism plane intersecting the patellar facet of the femur centrally and perpendicularly. We evaluated the alignment according to the extent to which the patella and/or the tibial tuberosity deviated from the plane. The results suggested that our method is useful for indicating proximal and distal realignment. Furthermore, two-dimensional finite element analysis in the patello-femoral joint showed that peak stress was significantly higher in the dislocation group than in the no-dislocation group. This indicates that osteoarthritic change in the future is a risk in the dislocation group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, National Defense Medical College, 3-2, Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-8513, Japan. kyusei@me.ndmc.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Kyosuke
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fujikawa
authors.forename: Koichi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nemoto
authors.forename: Mutsuo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Obara
authors.forename: Shunichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sato
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D031221:Knee Dislocation / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010329:Patella / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology*; D016474:Weight-Bearing / Q000502:physiology