Correlation of infrapatellar fat pad edema with trochlear and patellofemoral joint morphology: MRI evaluation

doi:10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.3816

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that edema of the lateral superior infrapatellar fat pad is caused by friction between the patellar tendon and the lateral condyle of the femur, but the relationship between lateral superior infrapatellar fat pad edema and the shape of the pulley and the arrangement of the patellofemoral joint is not clear.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation between patellofemoral joint alignment, pulley shape, and lateral superior infrapatellar fat pad edema on MRI.
METHODS: The MRI images of knee joint taken by the First Affiliated Hospital of South China University from July 2018 to October 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Patellofemoral joint alignment (patellar offset, patellar tilt angle and Insall-Salati ratio), pulley shape (pulley groove angle, external pulley angle, medial inclination angle and pulley angle) and SIFP edema were evaluated by MRI images of the knee joint. The arrangement of the patellofemoral joint and the shape of the pulley were divided into quartiles and the presence or absence of SIFP was determined. Logistic regression model was used to determine the relationship between patellofemoral joint arrangement, pulley shape and SIFP edema by adjusting age, sex, and body mass index.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Finally, 161 patients were included, of which 60 cases (37.3%) developed SIFP edema. (2) Trochlear angle, Insall-Salati ratio and patellofemoral deviation were positively correlated with edema of lateral superior infrapatellar fat pad (P < 0.001). (3) Compared with the knee joint measured in the lowest quartile, the trochlear angle, Insall-Salati ratio and patellofemoral offset in the highest quartile were 7.4 times (95%CI: 1.39, 5.12) more likely to develop SIFP edema, 8.1 times (95%CI: 3.27, 24.5) and 16.2 times (95%CI: 4.1, 28.8), respectively. (4) In middle-aged and elderly patients with anterior knee pain or suspected knee osteoarthritis, increased pulley angle and high patella and patellar offset may indicate edema of the lateral superior infrapatellar fat pad.

Key words: bone, knee joint, magnetic resonance imaging, infrapatellar fat pad, trochlea, patellofemoral joint

CLC Number:

Chen Xiaolong, Zhao Heng, Hu Rong, Luo Guanghua, Liu Jincai . Correlation of infrapatellar fat pad edema with trochlear and patellofemoral joint morphology: MRI evaluation[J]. Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research, 2021, 25(15): 2410-2415.

Figures/Tables 4

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