Abstract:

BACKGROUND: Patella alta is considered as the primary reason for pain of anterior knee, unstability of patellofemoral joint, Osgood-Schlatter apophysitis and chondromalacia patellae, so it is important to perform early diagnosis.
OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research advances of the radiologic imaging techniques in diagnosis of patella alta.
METHODS: A computer-based search of PubMed database was undertaken by the first author to identify the articles related to the research on patella alta between January 1971 and November 2011, with the key words of “patella alta, diagnosis, radiologic imaging techniques”. Repetitive studies were excluded, totally 38 articles were reviewed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: To date, X-ray is the most convenient and most commonly used diagnostic method of patella alta, but the sensitivity is lower than CT. Although CT has great advantage than X-ray in identifying the position of patella alta, it cannot provide more effective information. Considering the high radiation dose, CT can only be used as the substitute exam method of X-ray. But magnetic resonance imaging can show accurate imaging and description on the cartilage surface wear and bone marrow edema without exposure to radiation, it may be more effective in finding early cases though it has high economic cost and time cost. Thus, the osteopathic physicians in different regions should take flexible choice in diagnostic imaging method according to different patients.