Patellofemoral Instability

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Original Editors

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Search Strategy

Databases: web of knowledge, Pubmed, Pedro
Key words: patellofemoral instability, patellofemoral instability AND physical therapy, patella instability
Medical library ULB/VUB with key words patellofemoral instability and patellofemoral joint, library KULeuven

Definition/Description

A frequent cause of knee pain and knee disability is patellofemoral instability. Patellofemoral instability can be defined in different ways. One way is when the patient has undergone a traumatic dislocation of the patella. It can also describe a sign on physical examination, signifying the ability of the patella to be translated out of the trochlear groove of the femur in a passive manner. Moreover, patellofemoral instability can be a symptom, when the patient gives a feeling that the knee “gives way’’. This feeling occurs when the patella slips out of the trochlear groove. The relationships between the symptoms, injuries and diseases of the patellofemoral joint are often confusing for the therapist.

(level of evidence 2A) 

Clinically Relevant Anatomy

General anatomy of the patellofemoral joint

Many studies report the importance of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). The MPFL prevents the patella from translating laterally.
The quadriceps is a dynamic stabilizer of the patella.
The patellomeniscal ligament and the medial retinacular fiber are also important medial stabilizers.
(level of evidence 2A)

Link: http://www.physio-pedia.com/Lateral_Collateral_Ligament_Injury_of_the_Knee

Epidemiology /Etiology

• Femoral anteversion
• Genu Valgum
• Patellar dysplasia
• Femoral dysplasia
• Vastus medialis obliquus atrophy
• High Q angle
• Pes planus
• Generalized hyperlaxity
  
  

Characteristics/Clinical Presentation

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Differential Diagnosis

patellar dislocation
Patellar dislocation may take place as a direct traumatic event (acute dislocation of the patella) in a patient with normal patellar alignment. It can also occur in a patient with pre-existing malalignment, especially if there is significant baseline subluxation.

patellar subluxation:
When the patella is transiently or permanently medial or lateral to its normal tracking course, then the patella may articulate abnormally.
Subluxation or lateral translation will involve transient lateral movement of the patella. In general, it is early in knee flexion such that the patient will experience a feeling of pain or instability. This form of patellar subluxation is rather a recurrent dislocation of the patella. It is essential to distinguish between this form of abnormal patellar alignment and tilt.
Types of subluxations:
   • Minor Recurrent Subluxation
   • Major Recurrent Subluxation
   • Permanent Lateral Subluxation

Patella Alta

Diagnostic Procedures

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Outcome Measures

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Examination

History:
The first diagnostic step is a detailed history. It is the most important clue for a correct diagnosis.

Physical Examination:
The second diagnostic step is a careful, complete and essential physical examination. The purpose of this examination is to reproduce the symptoms (pain/instability) and to locate the painful zone. The location can indicate which structure is injured, it is truly helpful to compose the diagnosis and to plan the treatment.

Tests to define the instability:

Reference: Vicente Sanchis-Alfonso, Anterior Knee Pain and Patellar Instability, Second Edition, 2011, p108-120

1) Fairbanks patellar apprehension test (Figure 2)
The test is positive, when there is pain and muscle defensive contraction of lateral patellar dislocation with 20°–30° of knee flexion. The positive test indicates that lateral patellar instability is an important part of the patient’s problem. This may be so positive that the patient pulls the leg back when the therapist approaches the knee with his hand, preventing so any contact, or the patient grabs the therapist’s arm.
   --> 100% sensitivity, 88.4% specificity, and overall accuracy of 94.1% (level of evidence 3)^[5]

2) Patellar glide test (Figure 3):
This test is used to evaluate the instability. A medial/lateral displacement of the patella greater than or equal to 3 quadrants (Figure 4), with this test, is consistent with incompetent lateral/medial restraints. Lateral patellar instability is more frequent than medial instability.

Medical Management

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Physical Therapy Management

Patellofemoral Instability: acute dislocation of the patella

Nonoperative treatment:
It is a treatment that consists of immobilization followed by a period of structured rehabilitation. Immobilization is granted for healing of the soft tissues, especially the supporting structures on the medial side of the knee. Today brace treatment with early mobilization has become the norm, instead of the traditional immobilization of 3 to 6 weeks in a cylinder cast.

Most of the time these therapies start with the initial straight-leg raises: ^_[4]Quadriceps setting exercises and three sets of 15 to 20 straight leg raises are done four or five times a day during the acute period. Ice is applied for 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours to reduce swelling. (level of evidence 2A)
It is followed by stationary bicycle for passive and active motion, isotonic and isometric quadriceps strengthening. Between 3 and 8 weeks, the return to full activities was allowed when tenderness weakened and isotonic quadriceps strength was bilateral.
In up to two-third of the knees the results were good to excellent, these results consist of a first-time acute dislocation, compared with only 50% of those with a recurrent dislocation. In general, 73% were satisfied with their knees, but 16% were not and eventually decided to have surgical stabilization.
Those with acute patellar dislocation can expect an extended rehabilitation period before returning to sport, whether immobilized or not.

Patellofemoral Instability: Recurrent Dislocation of the Patella

Nonoperative treatment
Surgery is not necessarily needed for patients with patellofemoral malalignment (Link) or relaxation of the patella. Adequate results can be achieved with a conservative exercise treatment program. It is very important in the rehabilitation program to strengthen the quadriceps muscle and vastus medialis obliquus (VMO). It’s advised to follow the program which is similar to that followed after acute dislocation, but with more resistive exercises. This program can also be started early. In addition, a stabilization brace of the patella may help to prevent chronic recurrent subluxation.

Key Research

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Resources

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Clinical Bottom Line

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Recent Related Research (from Pubmed)

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References

• Fulkerson, J.P. et al., Disorders of the patellofemoral joint, USA, Williams & Wilkins, 1997, p.175-187, 199-216, 275-297.
• ^[1]G. Diederichs et al., 2010, MR Imaging of patellar instability: Injury Patterns and Assessment of Risk Factors, Radiographics. (level of evidence 2A)
• J.S. Mulford et al., 2007, Assessment and management of chronic patellofemoral instability, The journal of bone and joint surgery (level of evidence 2A)
• DeLee, Jesse, David Drez, and Mark D. Miller. DeLee & Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Principles and Pratice. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Science, 2003, p1534-p1572
• ^[2][3]Vicente Sanchis-Alfonso, Anterior Knee Pain and Patellar Instability, Second Edition, 2011, p108-120
• ^[4]Reuven Minkowitz, M.D., Chris Inzerillo, M.D., and Orrin H.Sherman,M.D., Patella Instability, Bulletin of the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases 2007 (level of evidence 2A)
• Barry P. Boden et al., Patellofemoral instability: evaluation and management, Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (level of evidence 1C)
• ^[5]Christopher S. Ahmad et al., The Moving Patellar Apprehension Test for Lateral Patellar Instability, The American Journal of Sports Medicine (Level of evidence 3)