The prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures

Abstract Purpose Trochlear dysplasia is found in 3.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–6.7) of the general population and linked to patellar instability and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in pat...

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Main Authors: Vanessa Morello, Matthieu Zingg, Philippe Tscholl
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2024-12-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-08204-4
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author Vanessa Morello
Matthieu Zingg
Philippe Tscholl
author_facet Vanessa Morello
Matthieu Zingg
Philippe Tscholl
author_sort Vanessa Morello
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Purpose Trochlear dysplasia is found in 3.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–6.7) of the general population and linked to patellar instability and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures. Secondary outcome was to evaluate the prevalence of trochlear dysplasia in different type of patellar fracture. Methods All consecutive 18-year-old or older patients treated in a level-1 trauma center for patellar fracture between 2003 and 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Trochlear dysplasia was assessed according to Dejour’s classification on a strict lateral knee x-ray. Patellar fractures were analyzed on AP, lateral and axial knee x-rays and classified on pattern and displacement. Patellar dislocation at time of injury was recorded. Results Out of 482 patellar fractures, a strict lateral knee x-ray was found in 166 cases (50.6% women, mean age 56years +/-21, 51% right knee). Nineteen cases had trochlear dysplasia (11.5%, 95% CI 6.9–17.9): 10 high-grade trochlear dysplasia meaning type B, C and D (6.0%, 95% CI 2.4–9.7%); 15 without dislocation (9.3%, 95% CI 5.2–15.3). Patellar fracture distribution showed 17 transverse non-displaced (10.2%), 38 transverse displaced (22.9%), 15 avulsion (9%), 27 multifragmented non-displaced (16.3%), 56 multi-fragmented displaced (33.7%), 7 vertical (4.2%) and 6 osteochondral (3.6%) fractures. Four dislocations were recorded, all had osteochondral fractures and trochlear dysplasia. When considering patellar fractures with dislocation, the incidence of osteochondral lesions was significantly higher in patients with trochlear dysplasia (p < 0.001). This is not true for any other type of patellar fracture (p = 0.138). Conclusions This study suggests that there is a significant prevalence of trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures. This study also suggests that the pattern of patellar fracture is not influenced by the presence of trochlear dysplasia, except for osteochondral fractures associated with patello-femoral dislocations.
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spelling doaj-art-874c2da348944f939e006d8d1e36d5eb2025-01-05T12:04:43ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742024-12-012511610.1186/s12891-024-08204-4The prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fracturesVanessa Morello0Matthieu Zingg1Philippe Tscholl2Division of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals of GenevaDivision of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals of GenevaDivision of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery, University Hospitals of GenevaAbstract Purpose Trochlear dysplasia is found in 3.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.2–6.7) of the general population and linked to patellar instability and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures. Secondary outcome was to evaluate the prevalence of trochlear dysplasia in different type of patellar fracture. Methods All consecutive 18-year-old or older patients treated in a level-1 trauma center for patellar fracture between 2003 and 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Trochlear dysplasia was assessed according to Dejour’s classification on a strict lateral knee x-ray. Patellar fractures were analyzed on AP, lateral and axial knee x-rays and classified on pattern and displacement. Patellar dislocation at time of injury was recorded. Results Out of 482 patellar fractures, a strict lateral knee x-ray was found in 166 cases (50.6% women, mean age 56years +/-21, 51% right knee). Nineteen cases had trochlear dysplasia (11.5%, 95% CI 6.9–17.9): 10 high-grade trochlear dysplasia meaning type B, C and D (6.0%, 95% CI 2.4–9.7%); 15 without dislocation (9.3%, 95% CI 5.2–15.3). Patellar fracture distribution showed 17 transverse non-displaced (10.2%), 38 transverse displaced (22.9%), 15 avulsion (9%), 27 multifragmented non-displaced (16.3%), 56 multi-fragmented displaced (33.7%), 7 vertical (4.2%) and 6 osteochondral (3.6%) fractures. Four dislocations were recorded, all had osteochondral fractures and trochlear dysplasia. When considering patellar fractures with dislocation, the incidence of osteochondral lesions was significantly higher in patients with trochlear dysplasia (p < 0.001). This is not true for any other type of patellar fracture (p = 0.138). Conclusions This study suggests that there is a significant prevalence of trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures. This study also suggests that the pattern of patellar fracture is not influenced by the presence of trochlear dysplasia, except for osteochondral fractures associated with patello-femoral dislocations.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-08204-4Trochlear dysplasiaPatellar fractureKneePatello-femoral jointPatello-femoral dislocation
spellingShingle Vanessa Morello
Matthieu Zingg
Philippe Tscholl
The prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Trochlear dysplasia
Patellar fracture
Knee
Patello-femoral joint
Patello-femoral dislocation
title The prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures
title_full The prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures
title_fullStr The prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures
title_full_unstemmed The prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures
title_short The prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures
title_sort prevalence of radiographic trochlear dysplasia in patients with patellar fractures
topic Trochlear dysplasia
Patellar fracture
Knee
Patello-femoral joint
Patello-femoral dislocation
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12891-024-08204-4
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