[X-ray diagnosis of the patellar instability. Incidences in external rotation]

The classical X-Ray exploration of the patellar instability is done through incidences performed with knees in a 30 degrees flexion and a 0 degrees rotation. To this basic investigation the authors propose to add original, more physiological incidences performed with knees in external rotation. Because of their extreme sensitiveness, these incidences with a 30 degrees external rotation allow a more accurate diagnosis of the patellar instability (and thereby a better breaking up of the still too nebulous chapter of patellar chrondropathies) and a more critical checking of the surgical centering of the patella. Technically easy to perform they should enter into the usual practice of X-Ray exploration of any mechanical knee.