This document discusses patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS). It covers the anatomy of the patellofemoral joint, assessment of PFPS, acute patellar dislocation, and treatment options. The key points are:
- PFPS is caused by abnormalities that affect patellar tracking, including malalignment, instability, and articular degeneration.
- Assessment involves physical exam, radiographs, MRI, and sometimes arthroscopy to evaluate soft tissues and cartilage damage.
- Treatment progresses from nonsurgical options like physical therapy to realignment procedures like lateral release or tibial tubercle transfer if conservative treatment fails.
2. Patellofemoral Pain
Syndrome
Freih Odeh Abu Hassan
FRCS (Eng.), FRCS (Tr. & Orth.)
Professor of Orthopedics
Universit y of Jordan
11/3/2014 2Professor Freih Abuhassan-
University of Jordan
3. A- Anatomy B-Assessment
C-Acute dislocation
D-Breakdown of disorders
1-PF malalignment (e or e out articular
degeneration)
2-PF instability e out static malalignment
3-Articular degeneration e out malalign.
4- Unstable Patella after TKR
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University of Jordan
4. • Thickest articular cartilage in the body
–Up to 5mm at central ridge
• Joint reaction forces ( X of B.Wt)
–0.5 level walking
–3.3 stair climbing
–7.8 squats
A-PF Basics and Anatomy
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University of Jordan
7. • Geometry of the patella &
trochlea.
– Hypoplastic trochlea (flat)
• Angle of pull of the
quadriceps (Q-angle)
Bony stabilizers
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University of Jordan
8. MRI of Normal MPFL
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University of Jordan
9. Proper assessment
1-Pain
–Character, Location, Onset, Intensity,
Exacerbation, Remittance
2-Effusion
3-Trauma
–Subluxation
–Dislocation
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University of Jordan
10. 4-Previous treatment
5-Other joint involvement
6-Litigation
7-Worker’s compensation
8-Psychological components
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University of Jordan
11. Symptoms
•Pain Anterior knee
•Pain after sitting (movie sign)
•Pain ascending stairs
•Popping & clicking
•Pseudo-locking
•Instability - Giving Way
The patellar pain are aggravated by flexed
knee activities as sitting, climbing, squatting
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University of Jordan
12. Physical Examination
• Alignment : Varus/valgus, Rotational
(Ext. tibial torsion, Femoral anteversion)
• Patellofemoral crepitus
• Patellar tracking
–J-sign, Apprehension
• Lateral retinaculum
–Tenderness, Tilt, Patellar mobility
. Compression test chondromalacia11/3/2014 12Professor Freih Abuhassan-
University of Jordan
13. • Quad strength (VMO)
– IT band friction synd., Pes anserinus bursitis
• Q-angle: N – Male(10º) , Female(15º)
• Tubercle-sulcus angle
• Extensor mechanism: alta vs. baja
• Patellar/femoral dysplasia
• Hamstring tightness
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University of Jordan
15. • Merchant axial
– 45 deg and 30 caudal tilt
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University of Jordan
16. • Sulcus angle
– Angle formed by the trochlear ridges
= Sulcus angle 140° (+ 5)
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University of Jordan
17. • Congruence angle
– Angle formed by bisecting the sulcus angle
and central patellar ridge
– Mean = -6º +/- 6º (central ridge should lie
medial to the bisector)
11/3/2014 17Professor Freih Abuhassan-
University of Jordan
19. Dynamic CT Scan:
0°, 15°, 30° and 45° knee flexion
More accurate bec. the post. condyles
of femur are more precise reference.
=Tilt angle
=Subluxation
=Congruence angle
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University of Jordan
20. MRI scan
= Status of the lateral retinaculum
(thickening), MPFL & cartilage
=Injuries in the PF joint.
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University of Jordan
22. • Subluxation
Central patellar ridge is
lateral to the bisector of
the sulcus angle.
• Tilt
Patella centered in the
trochlea but the medial
facet is elevated away
from the trochlea
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University of Jordan
24. Arthroscopic evaluation
1- Confirms the Dx of patellar subluxation
2- Classification of articular lesion
(size, severity and location)
3- Helps to quantify lateral malalignment -
tracking
°90°45°0
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University of Jordan
25. 4-Treatment of associated pathologies
Patellar fracture secondary to luxation
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University of Jordan
26. 5-Reevaluation of patellar tracking after
open proximal realignment
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University of Jordan
27. • Usually presents to ED after twisting injury
• Often hemarthrosis, Fat !!
• 40% risk of osteochondral injury
• Most often underlying alignment issues
B-Acute Dislocation
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University of Jordan
28. Dislocation lesions
• Medial tear
• Medial patellar chondral injury
• Lateral femoral edema
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University of Jordan
29. • Acute Dislocation
Flex the hip & gradually extend the knee to
reduce If x-ray changes, fat in joint, or
crepitus Scope.
Conservative R/
–Cast for 3 W in extension, brace for
6 W Brace at the 1st return to sport.
–Physical therapy (proprioception)
Treatment
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University of Jordan
30. Surgery
Early !!!! chronic pain and arthrofibrosis
Late (50% will need surgery)
=In recurrent cases
=Correct malalignments
• Chronic
– Treat pain, alignment or instability issues as needed
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University of Jordan
31. • C/O = Pain or Mechanical issues.
1-Patellofemoral Malalignment
–NSAIDS
–Physical therapy
• Mainstay
• several months before aggressive measures
• Avoid aggressive quad strengthening.
Conservative treatment
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University of Jordan
33. Patellar tilt
Surgical treatment
Lateral release
–Patella should evert to 70-90°
–May need proximal or distal
realignment as well
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University of Jordan
34. 1-Hauser procedure.
– Posteriomedial tibial tubercle transfer
– Increases DJD due to joint reaction forces
– Contraindicated
Distal Realignment
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University of Jordan
35. 2-Elmslie-Trillat
Medial and distal transfer
– Originally included medial tightening and
lateral release, but not necessary.
– Much better than Hauser
–Avoid if significant degenerative changes
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University of Jordan
36. =Increased “Q” angle
=Recurrent lateral subluxation
=Skeletally mature patients
Indications
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University of Jordan
38. 3-Fulkerson
–Anteromedial transfer.
–Use for combination of chondral
changes and malalignment.
–Oblique cut.
–Large surface area for healing.
–Good for distal and lateral chondrosis.
11/3/2014 38Professor Freih Abuhassan-
University of Jordan
44. • Usually indicative of soft tissue injury.
• Conservative treatment .
=Overall limb strengthing, =VMO strength,
= avoidance of foot overpronation
• Examine arthroscopically
• Surgery proximal realignment
procedure with or without lateral release
2-Dynamic Instability without Static
Malalignment
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University of Jordan
45. Proximal realignment
=After dislocation for torn MPFL
=Patella fails to centralize after lateral release
=Skeletally imature patients
=Abnormal VMO
=Dynamic lateral subluxation without overall
malalignment
Indications
Severe OAContraindication11/3/2014 45Professor Freih Abuhassan-
University of Jordan
49. =Lateral release
=Imbrication of medial capsule
=Advancement of VMO (distal and laterally)
MPFL reconstruction
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University of Jordan
50. • Chondral changes on the patella correlate
poorly with pain
• Underlying bony changes are better indicator
• Assess location of chondral damage
• Check alignment carefully
3-Articular Degeneration without
Malalignment
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University of Jordan
53. –Avoid aggressive PT
–Stop offending activities
–Stay within “envelope of function”
Treatment
• Arthroscopic debridement/chondroplasty
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University of Jordan
54. Conclusion
1- Proper assessment and radiology.
2-Always conservative first.
3-Lateral release must be complete .
4-Documented patellar tilt and minimal
articular cartilage.
5-Check malalignments.
6- Fulkerson procedure more consistant
results
11/3/2014 54Professor Freih Abuhassan-
University of Jordan
55. Unstable Patella after TKR
1-Component malpositioning,
(internal malrotation of the femoral or
tibial components)
2- Limb malalignment,
3-Prosthetic design,
4-Improper patellarpreparation,
5-Soft-tissue imbalance.
11/3/2014 55Professor Freih Abuhassan-
University of Jordan
56. Major malposition of components
implant revision.
No malposition proximal
realignments
(lateral release with lateral advancement of
the vastus medialis obliquus muscle)
11/3/2014 56Professor Freih Abuhassan-
University of Jordan