Radiologic evaluation of chondromalacia patellae

In a series of patients in whom the patello-femoral joint had been examined by arthroscopy, in conjunction with arthrotomy or both, previously obtained films were reviewed. A series of radiologic morphometric measurements with bearing on the shape of the patella and the patello-femoral joint was carried out and compared between patients who had normal patello-femoral joints, patients with chondromalacia grade II or III and patients with chondromalacia grade IV or arthrosis. No difference between the three groups in any of the variables was found. However, a shallow excavation in the subchondral bone was observed in the lateral view of the patella in most of those patients with proven chondromalacia patellae.