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Original Article | Radiology and Medical Imaging Sciences | Volume 15 Issue 3, March 2026 | Pages: 966 - 973 | India
Quantitative Assessment of Patellar Instability in Indian Population: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based Observational Study
Abstract: Patellar instability is a common cause of knee dysfunction and anterior knee pain, especially in young and physically active individuals. Recurrence after non-surgical treatment is frequent, making accurate structural assessment essential for long-term management. Magnetic resonance imaging offers detailed visualization of bone contours, articular cartilage, and soft tissue structures, allowing detection of anatomical variations that contribute to instability. This study aimed to evaluate key magnetic resonance imaging-based morphological risk factors associated with patellar instability. This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care centre in Mumbai over a period of three years, from July two thousand twenty-one to December two thousand twenty-four. Thirty-six individuals presenting with knee pain and a history of at least one documented episode of patellar instability underwent evaluation using a three Tesla magnetic resonance imaging system. Parameters assessed included the sulcal angle, patellar inclination angle, depth of the femoral trochlea, asymmetry of the trochlear facets, patellar height measured using the Insall?Salvati ratio, distance between the tibial tuberosity and the trochlear groove, and the degree of patellar tilt. The study demonstrated a high sulcal angle in most individuals, increased patellar height in a large proportion, and an increased patellar tilt in many cases. The distance between the tibial tuberosity and the trochlear groove was elevated in a significant subset. Trochlear dysplasia was the most frequent anatomical abnormality, and more than half of the individuals exhibited three or more structural risk factors. The findings indicate that abnormalities of the femoral trochlea, particularly trochlear dysplasia, play a central role in the development of patellar instability. Magnetic resonance imaging provides a comprehensive assessment of knee morphology and is an essential tool for identifying anatomical risk factors and guiding appropriate treatment planning.
Keywords: Patellar instability, MRI, trochlear dysplasia, patella Alta, TT-TG distance
How to Cite?: Dr. Ashwini Sonve, Dr. Anita Karigar, "Quantitative Assessment of Patellar Instability in Indian Population: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging Based Observational Study", Volume 15 Issue 3, March 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 966-973, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26315212020, DOI: https://dx.dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26315212020