Patella alta
Citation, DOI & article data
Citation:
Weerakkody, Y., Knipe, H. Patella alta. Reference article, Radiopaedia.org. (accessed on 10 Aug 2022) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-13055
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rID:
13055
Article created:
23 Feb 2011 by Dr Yuranga Weerakkody ◉
Revisions:
24 times by 14 users - see full revision history
System:
Section:
Tag:
Synonyms:
- High-riding patella
- High riding patella
Patella alta, or a high riding patella, describes a situation where the position of the patella is considered high. It may be idiopathic or may result secondary to a patellar tendon rupture.
Epidemiology
Associations
Several conditions are known to be associated with patella alta, including:
- idiopathic retropatellar pain 5
- recurrent dislocation of the patella 2
- chondromalacia patellae 2
- knee joint effusion 2
Patella alta may also occur as a result of spastic cerebral palsy 6.
Radiographic features
On sagittal images, it is usually considered when the Insall-Salvati ratio is greater than 1.3-1.5 1-3.
On radiography, it is important that standard positioning is used, with the knee flexed at 30 degrees. An off-angle x-ray beam or non-standard positioning may result in a spuriously abnormal ratio.
Quiz questions
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References
- 1. Shabshin N, Schweitzer ME, Morrison WB et-al. MRI criteria for patella alta and baja. Skeletal Radiol. 2004;33 (8): 445-50. doi:10.1007/s00256-004-0794-6 - Pubmed citation
- 2. Ali SA, Helmer R, Terk MR. Patella alta: lack of correlation between patellotrochlear cartilage congruence and commonly used patellar height ratios. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2009;193 (5): 1361-6. doi:10.2214/AJR.09.2729 - Pubmed citation
- 3. Insall, John; Salvati, Eduardo. Radiology. doi:10.1148/101.1.101
- 4. Miller TT, Staron RB, Feldman F. Patellar height on sagittal MR imaging of the knee. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1996;167 (2): 339-41. AJR Am J Roentgenol (abstract) - Pubmed citation
- 5. Kannus PA. Long patellar tendon: radiographic sign of patellofemoral pain syndrome--a prospective study. Radiology. 1992;185 (3): 859-63. Radiology (abstract) - Pubmed citation
- 6. Lotman DB. Knee flexion deformity and patella alta in spastic cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 1976;18 (3): 315-9. Pubmed citation
Related articles: Knee pathology
The knee is a complex synovial joint that can be affected by a range of pathologies:
- bone and cartilage
-
knee fractures
- distal femoral condyle fracture
- tibial plateau fracture (classification)
- patella fracture
-
avulsion fractures of the knee
- arcuate complex avulsion fracture (arcuate sign)
- anterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture
- biceps femoris avulsion fracture
- iliotibial band avulsion fracture
- quadriceps tendon avulsion fracture
- patellar sleeve fracture
- posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fracture
- reverse Segond fracture
- Segond fracture
- semimembranosus tendon avulsion fracture
- Stieda fracture chronic avulsion injuries
- dislocation
- chondromalacia patellae
- osteoarthritis of the knee
- osteochondral
- patterns of bone bruise in knee injury
-
knee fractures
- ligaments
- anterior cruciate ligament tear
- anterior cruciate ligament ganglion cyst
- anterior cruciate ligament mucoid degeneration
- posterior cruciate ligament tear
- medial collateral ligament tear
- lateral collateral ligament tear
- medial patellofemoral ligament tear
- posterolateral corner injury
- posteromedial corner injury
- tendons
- meniscal lesions
- bursosynovial lesions
- fat pad
- popliteal fossa
- fascia
- alignment
- knee
- patellofemoral
- gamut
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