THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LOWER EXTREMITY TORSIONAL DEFORMITIES AND PATELLOFEMORAL DISORDERS

Abstract

Introduction: There are various causes of the patellofemoral disorders. The increased femoral anteversion and external tibial torsion are emphasized as probable causes of anterior knee pain. The aim of this study is to compare two group of patients having anterior knee pain and patellofemoral instability with healthy controls in terms of lower extremity torsional deformities.
Patients and methods: For this purpose, we evaluated 40 knees of 27 cases. Cases were assigned to one of 3 groups according their clinical diagnosis. Group 1 consisted twelve knees of ten patients who have anterior knee pain not responding conservative treatment for a long period. Group 2 included twelve knees of eight patients with objective patellar instability proven with computed tomography (CT) and physical examination. Group 3 as control was composed of sixteen knees of 9 healthy volunteers. Femoral anteversion and tibial torsion were measured for lower extremity torsional status by CT in all 3 groups.
Results: Mean tibial torsion was 31,83±6,92 in Group 1, 38,42±3,78 in Group 2 and 39,3±8,09 degrees in Group 3. Group 1 demonstrated significantly lower values of external tibial torsion compared to Group 2 and Group 3 (P0.05).
Discussion: These findings suggest that the lower extremity torsional deformities cannot be regarded as primary etiological factor for anterior knee pain syndrome and patellofemoral instability.