title: Radiographic parameters associated with lateral patella degeneration in young patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Localized articular cartilage degeneration in the patellofemoral joint is a common but yet understudied condition in younger patients. The purpose of this paper was to determine whether there are significant differences in radiographic alignment between those with and without isolated lateral patellofemoral degeneration.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects with isolated symptomatic lateral patellofemoral degeneration and control subjects with no radiographic degeneration participated in the study. Variables of interest included the Caton-Deschamps index, sulcus angle, lateral patellofemoral angle, Dejour classification of trochlear dysplasia, patella linear displacement and the tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found significant differences between the patellofemoral degeneration group versus control group, respectively, for the Caton-Deschamps index (1.12 ± 0.1 vs. 1.00 ± 0.1), lateral patellofemoral angle (10.6 ± 4.3 vs. 16.6 ± 5.5) and tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance (16.6 ± 4.0 vs. 9.0 ± 4.3). However, we found no difference in the sulcus angle (141.2 ± 8.2 vs. 137.0 ± 6.0), patella linear displacement (3.7 ± 1.9 vs. 4.0 ± 1.7) or in the Dejour Classification.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It appears that isolated lateral patellofemoral degeneration is associated with specific radiographic indices. Even though the radiographic measures in patients with degeneration may not be considered pathologic, they are "high normal" and may represent a risk factor for the development of focal chondral degeneration in the lateral trochlea and patella.
  
  
  METHODS
  III.
authors.affiliation: Division of Physical Therapy, University of Kentucky, Wethington Bldg Rm 204D, 900 S Limestone, Lexington, KY 40536-0200, USA. b.noehren@uky.edu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Noehren
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Duncan
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lattermann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002358:Cartilage, Articular / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010329:Patella / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D057071:Patellofemoral Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011859:Radiography; D055815:Young Adult