Assessing the Association Between WBCT PFJ Morphological Metrics and Knee Symptoms

Plain-language summary

Patellofemoral joint (PFJ) pain is a common, often chronic, aching pain behind or around the kneecap, frequently called "runner's knee". It occurs when the kneecap does not glide smoothly over the thigh bone, often due to muscle weakness or overuse. It makes sitting for long periods, climbing stairs, or kneeling painful. Symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common, long-term condition where the protective cartilage in the knee joint wears away, causing the bones to rub together, leading to daily pain and stiffness. In simple terms, it is a "wear-and-tear" disease of the entire joint that makes walking, climbing stairs, or bending the knee difficult. The PFJ is where the patella (kneecap) meets the femoral trochlea (front part of the lower thigh bone) at the front of the knee. Patellar tracking refers to the movement of the patella that begins to engage in the distal femoral trochlear groove (smooth, U-shaped groove at the bottom of the thigh bone). By doing this study, we hope to advance clinical knowledge of the PTJ features in a more natural position by using weight-bearing computed tomography (WBCT) images while the leg is straight and slightly bent. Determining links between specific knee symptoms and the PTJ structure on WBCT images could enable providers to effectively target the underlying causes and to develop targeted treatments.

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