[The femoropatellar gliding motion during active knee stretching. Imaging using motion-triggered MR tomography]

By means of motion-triggered MRT it has been possible for the first time to demonstrate movements in the patello-femoral joint by means of MRT. Patello-femoral movement was studied during active extension of the knee between 30 degrees flexion and complete extension. The knees of 5 normal females and 7 normal males were studied together with 2 women with recurrent lateral patellar luxation. In normal women there was an average 16 degrees (10 to 18 degrees), in men an average of 12 degrees (10 to 14 degrees) of lateralisation of the patella during complete extension of the knee. In 1 patient there was 10 degrees medial displacement of the patella before extension. In 2 knees with recurrent lateral subluxation there was a 20 and 24 degrees displacement of the patella.