Orthopedics Today highlights the perspective of Daniel W. Green, MD, MS, FAAP, FACS, pediatric orthopedic surgeon at HSS, on research which found patellofemoral morphology was altered and had an impact on maltracking in adolescents with patellofemoral pain.

Dr. Green wrote, “Specifically, the investigators measured patellofemoral morphology comparing MRIs with 20 controls vs. 20 adolescents with idiopathic patellofemoral pain that was not associated clinically with patella instability. Interestingly, the idiopathic patellofemoral (PF) pain group had a deeper sulcus and they speculate that there may be two groups of PF pain patients — one with PF instability and one group without instability. In addition to deeper femoral sulci, adolescents with PF pain were noted to have increased lateral patellar width and patellotrochlear width ratio.”

Dr. Green concluded, “It is my opinion that these radiographic findings probably will not directly change or modify clinicians’ current approach to adolescent idiopathic PF pain. However, hopefully this study will stimulate further research and potentially new treatment approaches to this common form of adolescent knee pain and disability.”

Read the article at Healio.com.