Abstract
Introduction: Anterior Knee pain is a very common presentation in Orthopaedic out patient clinics. However, Trochlear Dysplasia as a condition is still not very well understood.
Materials and Methods: Operative findings in patients undergoing Trochleaplasty and in young patients undergoing Patella-femoral arthroplasty were studied. Patients having trochlear dysplasia were identified. All these patients were sent a questionnaire to explore the variety of symptoms they experienced. 87 patients were identified for the study. 71(82%) patients responded to the questionnaire.
Results: Two subgroups were identified, one with dislocation of patella and the other without dislocation of the patella. Patients in patella dislocation group were younger (12 years vs 24) than those who presented without dislocation of patella. Patella dislocation group had more patients with anterior knee pain (71% vs 52%) as teenagers as compared to the group without dislocations. Symptoms such as giving way, lack of trust and unable to participate in sports were more commonly seen in the group with patella dislocation whereas, limited walking distance and difficulty with climbing the stairs were more commonly seen in the group without dislocation. Symptoms such as pain, catching and locking were seen equally amongst the two groups.
Conclusion: We believe that the patients with trochlear dysplasia have a bimodal presentation. Patients with dislocation of patella present earlier than those without patella dislocation. These two groups also have different symptoms at presentation. It is important to identify these subgroups correctly for appropriate management.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Tim Wilton, BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE.
