(Van Der Heijden et al., 2015)
Aims: To investigate differences in patellofemoral cartilage composition between patients with PFP and healthy control sub- jects using quantitative MRI
Methods: Cross-sectional case-control study, PFP group symptom duration from 2 months to 2 years, 14 to 40 yo. 64 patients and 70 controls.
Results: No significant differences were found in relaxation times of patellar and femoral cartilage between patients and control subjects within the adolescent and adult sub-groups.
Limitations: Small number, some did not do all MRI tests. Diagnostic criteria incomplete. Differences in controls needed adjustment. Selected population.
In practice: Cartilage composition seems not to differ between patients with PFP and asymptomatic controls.
Van Der Heijden, R. A., Oei, E. H. G., Bron, E. E., Van Tiel, J., Van Veldhoven, P. L. J., Klein, S., … Van Middelkoop, M. (2015). No Difference on Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patellofemoral Cartilage Composition between Patients with Patellofemoral Pain and Healthy Controls. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 44(5), 1172–1178. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546516632507