Sulcus angle (knee)

Last revised by Bálint Botz on 29 Mar 2022

Citation, DOI, disclosures and article data

Citation:

Lorente E, Botz B, Weerakkody Y, et al. Sulcus angle (knee). Reference article, Radiopaedia.org (Accessed on 29 Nov 2023) https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-77539

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.53347/rID-77539

Permalink:

https://radiopaedia.org/articles/77539

rID:

77539

Article created:

16 May 2020, Edgar Lorente ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was created Edgar Lorente had no recorded disclosures.

View Edgar Lorente's current disclosures

Last revised:

29 Mar 2022, Bálint Botz ◉

Disclosures:

At the time the article was last revised Bálint Botz had no recorded disclosures.

View Bálint Botz's current disclosures

Revisions:

7 times, by 5 contributors - see full revision history and disclosures

Systems:

Musculoskeletal

Sections:

Approach

Tags:

patellofemoral instability, sulcus angle, trochlear dysplasia, cases, refs

Synonyms:

Trochlear sulcus angle
Sulcal angle (knee)
Sulcal angle

The sulcus angle is useful in the assessment of patellofemoral instability and trochlear dysplasia.

Measurement

The angle is formed by the trochlear opening of the knee, measuring the angle between the medial and lateral facets. Classically described in axial x-rays of the knee performed at 30-45º of flexion (skyline view), it is valuable in both CT and MR studies.

Interpretation

Its normal value is 135±10º. When the angle of the groove is >145-150º, trochlear dysplasia can be diagnosed. This condition reflects an incongruence in the patella's sliding over the femoral trochlea, which can result in patellofemoral instability.