Arthrography and the medial compartment of the patello-femoral joint

Abstract

In four groups of patients with normal patellar cartilage, synovitis, patellar chondropathy, and degenerative changes of the patellar surface of the femur, the anatomical relationships within the medial compartment of the patello-femoral joint were examined. Clear differences were observed between these groups in the incidence of visualization of the medial alar plica and the mediopatellar synovial plica. As a consequence, an explanation has been sought for the occurrence of patellar chondropathy and degenerative changes of the patellar surface of the femur. It seems probable that a long-standing traumatic synovitis with effusion, attenuation of the synovial membrane, and the composition of the synovial fluid can lead to patellar chondropathy. The degenerative changes of the patellar surface of the femur are usually secondary to those of the load-bearing patellar facet. Insufficient covering of the cartilage by soft tissue may play a role in chondropathy of the nonload-bearing portion of the patella and the femoral condyle.