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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy

Published in:

01-11-2014 | Knee

Influence of knee flexion angle and weight bearing on the Tibial Tuberosity-Trochlear Groove (TTTG) distance for evaluation of patellofemoral alignment

Authors: Kaywan Izadpanah, Elisabeth Weitzel, Marco Vicari, Jürgen Hennig, Matthias Weigel, Norbert P. Südkamp, Philipp Niemeyer

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 11/2014

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of knee flexion and weight bearing on the Tibial Tuberosity-Trochlear Groove (TTTG) distance.

Materials and methods

Magnetic resonance imaging of the knee was carried out in 8 healthy volunteers. An open 0.25 T scanner equipped with a C-shaped permanent tilting magnet allowing examinations in weight-bearing conditions was used for the present investigation. A 3D gradient-echo sequence with axial slice orientation was obtained in a lying and an upright position with the knee straight and at 30° of knee flexion. The medial, central and lateral trochlear heights as well as the TTTG were determined.

Results

The mean medial trochlear height was 76.2 ± 4 %, the central trochlear height was 72.2 ± 3 %, and lateral trochlear height was 82.9 ± 3 %. The mean TTTG distance was 11.6 ± 4.4 mm in lying position at 0° knee flexion and 7.3 ± 2.9 mm (n.s.) at 30° knee flexion. Under weight bearing, the mean TTTG was significantly smaller at both 0° knee flexion 6.3 ± 3.2 mm (p = 0.040) and 30° knee flexion 4.9 ± 3.9 mm (p = 0.006) compared to the lying position with 0° knee flexion.

Conclusion

Tibial Tuberosity-Trochlear Groove distance depends on both knee flexion angle and weight bearing. The latter only seems to be of relevance in full extension.

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Title: Influence of knee flexion angle and weight bearing on the Tibial Tuberosity-Trochlear Groove (TTTG) distance for evaluation of patellofemoral alignment
Authors: Kaywan Izadpanah
Elisabeth Weitzel
Marco Vicari
Jürgen Hennig
Matthias Weigel
Norbert P. Südkamp
Philipp Niemeyer
Publication date: 01-11-2014
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 11/2014
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-013-2537-5

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Influence of knee flexion angle and weight bearing on the Tibial Tuberosity-Trochlear Groove (TTTG) distance for evaluation of patellofemoral alignment

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Purpose

Materials and methods

Results

Conclusion

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