Patellar malalignment: A common disorder associated with knee pain.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Knee pain is prevalent, with disorders often originating from the tibiofemoral (TF) or patellofemoral (PF) joints.
• Non-traumatic PF joint disorders are common in young individuals due to inherent instability, unlike the more stable TF joint.
• Patellar malalignment (PM) is a frequent cause of knee pain across all ages, often linked to imbalanced soft-tissue tension around the patella.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current literature on patellar malalignment (PM) and its management.
• To highlight the significance of PF joint involvement in knee pain.
• To present institutional findings emphasizing the universality and importance of PM management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of relevant studies on knee joint disorders and PM.
• Analysis of factors contributing to patellar malalignment, including soft-tissue imbalances and muscle weakness (e.g., vastus medialis obliquus).
• Discussion of current nonsurgical and surgical treatment approaches for PM.

Main Results:

• Imbalanced peripatellar soft-tissue tension, particularly reduced vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) function, leads to lateral patellar displacement and increased pressure on articular cartilage.
• This can result in progressive patellofemoral (PF) degeneration.
• Nonsurgical treatments for PM demonstrate high satisfaction rates, while surgical techniques are evolving with improving success.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of knee pain requires a focus on the patellofemoral (PF) joint, especially in cases of patellar malalignment (PM).
• Nonsurgical interventions are primary treatment options for PM, with established indications for surgical intervention.
• Addressing PM is crucial for comprehensive knee disorder treatment, as isolated TF joint focus is insufficient.