Imaging in Patellofemoral Pain

Abstract

Anatomic function of the patellofemoral compartment requires congruency and synergy of its osseous and soft tissue components. At different degrees of flexion, various components provide the main stabilizing force protecting against lateral patellar maltracking. Knowing the anatomy allows for a better understanding of patterns of injury seen on imaging (e.g., lateral trochlear bone contusion seen with transient lateral patellar dislocations). Anatomic variants can predispose to particular pathologies and outcomes, and some of these variants can be associated with pain (e.g., trochlear dysplasia), while others are typically not (e.g., bipartite patella).