Anatomy and surface geometry of the patellofemoral joint in the axial plane

TLDR

The study examined patellofemoral joint anatomy using cryosections and MR arthrotomograms, demonstrating that MR arthrotomography can differentiate cartilage from subchondral bone surfaces to aid surgeons and radiologists. Cryosections showed significant variation between cartilage and subchondral surfaces, and MR arthrotomograms matched these surfaces in only a minority of knees, leading the authors to recommend MR arthrotomography as the preferred imaging method.

Abstract

We studied the anatomy of the patellofemoral joint in the axial plane on cryosections from a cadaver knee and on MR arthrotomograms from 30 patients. The cryosections revealed differences in the geometry and anatomy of the surface of the articular cartilage and corresponding subchondral osseous contours of the patellofemoral joint. On the MR arthrotomograms the surface geometry of the cartilage matched the osseous contour of the patella in only four of the 30 knees. The articular cartilaginous surface of the intercondylar sulcus and corresponding osseous contour of the femoral trochlea matched in only seven knees. Since MR arthrotomography can distinguish between the surface geometry of the articular cartilage and subchondral osseous anatomy of the patellofemoral joint, it allows the surgeon and the radiologist to appraise the true articulating surfaces. We therefore recommend MR arthrotomography as the imaging technique of choice.