Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The most important cause of anterior knee pain is changes in patellar cartilage. Patellar chondromalacia is defined as softening of patellar cartilage and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is used more frequently compared to invasive and other cross-sectional imaging methods. In this study, we aimed to determine the relationship between patellar chondromalacia frequency, staging and patellar types in patients who were referred to knee MRI due to non-traumatic causes.

METHODS

In this retrospectively designed study, patients who were referred to knee MRI examination between June 1, 2014 and May 31, 2015 without a history of trauma or patellar fracture were included. Fat-saturated proton density axial MRI sequences were used for chondromalacia and patella type evaluation for each case. "Modified MRI Staging System" was used, which was based on Outerbridge's arthroscopy staging system, in the staging of chondromalacia patella. Baumgartl Classification was used in patella typing.

RESULTS

A total of 1804 patients (998 women and 806 men) with median age of 39.8 (min: 8, max: 96) were included. According to MRI study, chondromalacia patella frequency was 46.5% in females and 24% in males. Three hundred fifty-eight patellas were categorized as type 1 (19,8%), 762 patellas type 2 (42,2%), 663 patellas type 3 (36,8%) and 21 patellas type 4 (1,2%), respectively. Type 2 in males and type 3 patella in females were statistically more prevalent (p<0,001). There was a statistically significant relationship between type 3 patella and chondromalacia patella (p< 0,005).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Compared to previous studies, in the current study, the frequency of type 3 patella and chondromalacia were higher in women.