Ultrasound investigation into the relationship between hip adduction and the patellofemoral joint

[Purpose] Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a common musculoskeletal complaint. It has been suggested that hip adduction creates a load on the iliotibial band and causes lateral displacement of the patella (patella tilt). However, data gathered in a previous study were derived from a small sample of males, while the condition predominantly affects females. We assessed the relationship between hip adduction and patellar position with a larger sample size, including males and females. [Participants and Methods] Forty healthy, asymptomatic females and males (age 21.5 ± 1.3 years) were recruited. Their knees were passively flexed by 20°. Using ultrasound, the distance between the lateral edge of the patella and the lateral condyle of the femur was measured in the neutral position and at 20° adduction. [Results] Hip adduction produced a smaller patella-lateral femoral condyle measurement than in the neutral position. The mean difference in the patella-condyle distance between the neutral position and 20° hip adduction was 0.18 cm. No statistically significant difference was found between the right and left limbs, genders, Tegner scores, or BMI of the study participants. [Conclusion] The results of the study showed that hip adduction causes lateral displacement of the patella. Ultrasound is an effective means of assessing patella tilt.