Patellofemoral angle

Last revised by Yuranga Weerakkody on 29 Nov 2022

The patellofemoral angle is a measure of patellar tilt and is useful in the diagnosis of patellofemoral instability and excessive lateral pressure syndrome

The patellofemoral angle is formed between a line drawn along the bony lateral patellar facet and another line drawn along the anterior femoral condyles on axial images at the patellar mid-point 1-3

  • >0°: normal (opens laterally) 2,3

  • ≤0°: lateral patellar tilt (opens medially) 1.3

A modified patellofemoral angle has been used by Koskinen et al measuring along the lateral patellar facet cartilage surface rather than the bony surface with an angle ≥8° or medial opening considered abnormal 4,5.

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