The relationship between quadriceps fat pad syndrome and patellofemoral morphology: a case-control study

The purpose of this prospective case-control study is to investigate the relationship between quadriceps fat pad syndrome (QFPS) and patellofemoral morphology.

Twenty-two patients with QFPS and 22 age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers were included. The diagnosis of QFPS was supported both clinically and radiologically. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), patellofemoral morphology was evaluated with 13 radiological measurements including trochlear sulcus angle, trochlear sulcus depth, trochlear facet asymmetry, trochlear condyle asymmetry, lateral trochlear inclination angle, patellar translation, tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, Insall-Salvati ratio, patellotrochlear index, patellar tilt, the ratio between lateral and medial facet lengths, interfacet angle, and quadriceps tendon thickness. The mean of measurements was compared between groups using the Mann-Whitney U test.

There were 22 patients (12 male, 10 female) with mean age of 30.81 ± 1.41 (range 19-38) years in group I and 22 patients (12 male, 10 female) with mean age of 31.13 ± 1.31 (range 19-39) years in group II. The mean age and the gender distribution were statistically similar between groups (p = 0.845, p = 1, respectively). All measured values except for patellar tilt (p = 0.038) and TT-TG distance (p = 0.004) were similar (p > 0.05 for the other variables). However, all of the measured variables were within the normal range.

QFPS may not be associated with anatomical variations of the patellofemoral joint. Further studies are required to understand the etiology and risk factors.

Level III, prospective case-control study.