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Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 4/2021

01-04-2021 | KNEE

Malalignment sign on knee magnetic resonance imaging: a new predictor for excessive femoral anteversion in patients with patellar dislocation

Authors: Zijie Xu, Hua Zhang, Minkang Guo, Zhenxing Wen, Jian Zhang, Aiguo Zhou

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 4/2021

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Abstract

Purpose

To evaluate the clinical relevance of the newly identified malalignment sign in predicting excessive femoral anteversion in patients with patellar dislocations.

Methods

A total of 55 patients with patellar dislocation who underwent surgical treatment between 2016 and 2019 were included in this study. Femoral anteversion, tibial torsion, and the femorotibial index were measured via a CT scan. The malalignment sign on the knee MRI was defined as a malalignment between the lateral side of the intercondylar fossa of the femur and the lateral intercondylar eminence of the tibial plateau.

Results

A positive malalignment sign was observed in 36 of the 55 patients. Increased femoral anteversion was significantly correlated with the number of frames with a positive malalignment sign (r = 0.511, P < 0.001). The value of femoral anteversion was significantly greater in the group with a positive malalignment sign (P = 0.02). For a femoral anteversion value of 32°, the sensitivity and specificity of the malalignment sign reached the maximal level of 89.5% and 47.2%, respectively.

Conclusion

Increased femoral anteversion correlated significantly with a positive malalignment sign on knee MRI. However, tibial torsion did not affect the malalignment sign. A positive malalignment sign is evidence for femoral derotation osteotomy.

Level of evidence

Level IV.
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Metadata
Title
Malalignment sign on knee magnetic resonance imaging: a new predictor for excessive femoral anteversion in patients with patellar dislocation
Authors
Zijie Xu
Hua Zhang
Minkang Guo
Zhenxing Wen
Jian Zhang
Aiguo Zhou
Publication date
01-04-2021
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 4/2021
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-020-06080-8

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