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Factors predisposing to patellar chondropathy and patellar apicitis in athletes

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Summary

Factors predisposing to patellar chondropathy (the PC group) and inferior patellar apicitis (jumper's knee — the PA group) were sought by means of a questionnaire, detailed quantitative physical measurements and radiological examination in male athletes. There were 20 athletes in the two groups who had typical symptoms and signs of each disorder. A group of 20 high-level athletes without knee symptoms served as a control group.

The factors found in the PC group which differed significantly from those in the control group included increased anterior drawer sign (p<0.05), increased passive mediolateral patellar range of movement (p<0.001) and increased hyperextension (p<0.05). More leg length inequality (p<0.001) and patella alta (p<0.05) was observed in the PA group than in the controls.

There was statistically significant positive correlation between the different measurements of knee laxity (anterior drawer sign, passive mediolateral patellar movement and hyperextension) in the 60 cases. The correlation coefficient between the length of the patellar tendon and passive mediolateral patellar movement was 0.82 (p<0.001).

Résumé

On a recherché, chez des athlètes de sexe masculin, à l'aide d'un questionnaire détaillant les mensurations physiques quantitatives et les résultats des examens radiologiques, les facteurs prédisposants à la chondropathie de la rotule (groupe CR) et à l'apexite patellaire inférieure (groupe AP). Dans chacun de ces 2 groupes il y avait 20 athlètes qui présentaient des symptômes typiques de l'une de ces 2 affections. Un groupe de 20 athlètes de haut niveau, asymptomatiques, a servi de groupe de contrôle (groupe C).

Les facteurs trouvés dans le groupe CR qui différaient significativement de ceux du groupe C, étaient l'augmentation du tiroir antérieur (p<0.05), de la mobilité transversale de la rotule (p<0.001) et de l'hyperextension du genou (p<0.05). Dans le groupe AP, il y avait plus d'inégalités de longueur des membres inférieurs (p<0.001) et de patella alta (p<0.05) que dans le groupe C.

Statistiquement, il y avait dans les 60 cas une corrélation positive significative entre les différents tests de laxité du genou. Le coefficient de corrélation entre la longueur du tendon rotulien et la mobilité transversale de la rotule était de 0.82 (p<0.001).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sports Medical Research Unit, Kiinamyllnk, 10, SF-20520, Turku, Finland

    U. M. Kujala & M. Kvist

  2. Orthopaedic Hospital of the Invalid Foundation, Helsinki

    K. Österman

  3. The Rehabilitation Research Centre of the Social Insurance Institution, Turku

    T. Aalto

  4. Research Institute of Military Medicine, Central Military Hospital, Helsinki

    O. Friberg

Authors
  1. U. M. Kujala
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  2. K. Österman
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  3. M. Kvist
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  4. T. Aalto
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  5. O. Friberg
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Kujala, U.M., Österman, K., Kvist, M. et al. Factors predisposing to patellar chondropathy and patellar apicitis in athletes. International Orthopaedics 10, 195–200 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00266208

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