Abstract
Introduction: Traditionally adolescent anterior knee pain is considered to be a self limiting condition with no long term sequelae. However recently two publications have suggested the condition may be longer lasting. We wish to suggest that adolescent anterior knee pain may lead to patello femoral arthritis.
Method: We have carried out a comparative study assessing the incidence of previous adolescent anterior knee in patients who underwent patello femoral replacement for isolated patello femoral arthritis and have compared them with a matched group of patients who had medial unicompartmental replacement for isolated medial compartment arthritis without patello femoral disease.
All patients were sent a postal questionnaire enquiring about adolescent anterior knee pain, knee injury and patella instability.
Results: Ninety-three PFR patients and 86 UKR patients replied. The incidence of adolescent AKF and patella instability was higher in the PFR.group.
Conclusion: Adolescent anterior knee pain may not always be a benign self limiting condition since this as well as patella injury and instability was associated with subsequent isolated patello femoral arthritis.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Roger Smith. Correspondence should be addressed to him c/o British Orthopaedic Association, Royal College of Surgeons, 35-42 Lindoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PN.
