The Role of Vastus Medialis Obliquus in Repositioning the Patella: A Dynamic Computed Tomography Study

• Main Authors: Yeong-Fwu Lin, 林永福
• Other Authors: Cheng-Kung Cheng
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2007
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/57822714423992961882

博士 === 國立陽明大學 === 醫學工程研究所 === 96 === Background: It has been presumed that patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) results from patellar malalignment. However, the precise role the VMO plays in mediating the underlying pathology is unclear. Study Hypothesis: The morphology of the VMO is correlated to patellar malalignment in patients with PFPS. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: One hundred and twelve patients with PFPS were studied. Six sets of computed tomography axial images were assessed in which knee flexion was 00, 150, or 300, and the quadriceps muscle either relaxed or contracted. Measurements of serial cross-sectional areas of the VMO and patellar malalignment were made. Correlation and stepwise regression models between the VMO variables and patellar malalignment (lateral shift and patella tilt) were calculated. Additionally, the above statistics was further investigated into the 4 subgroups of patellofemoral malalignment. Results: Significant correlations were found between measures of cross-sectional areas of VMO, and patellar tilt at knee flexion 00 and 300 positions. Based on regression model, VMO was determined to be equivocally predictive of patellar tilt (R2= 0.078). In sharp contrast, this explanation was most apparent in the subgroup of patients with extreme patellar tilt and lateral shift (R2 up to 0.824). Conclusions: There existed significant correlations between VMO variables and some patellar alignments in the knees of patients with PFPS. Clinical Relevance: VMO is important to consider in the rehabilitation of patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome, especially those with extreme patellar tilt and lateral shift.