Ultrasonographic diagnosis of chondromalacia of the femoropatellar joint
Brussaard, C.; Naudts, P.; De Schepper, A.
Journal Belge de Radiologie 74(4): 303-306
1991
ISSN/ISBN: 0302-7430 PMID: 1797798 Document Number: 385384
In 35 patients suffering from femoropatellar arthralgia, ultrasound of the cartilage at the femoral side of the FP joint and double contrast computed arthrotomography were obtained. The criteria for chondromalacia in these examination techniques are discussed. In US the sharpness of the cartilage-bone interface and the relative reflectivity of the quadriceps tendon in comparison to the cartilage appeared to be relevant. US seemed to be a very specific technique in comparison with double contrast ARCT, but those patients with unique degeneration of the cartilage of the patella were missed with US (22%). Because US is a non-invasive, cheap and widely available procedure, we believe that US is a very useful screening procedure in the approach of the patient suspected of chondromalacia.