Among previously proposed etiological factors of chondromalacia patellae, abnormality in the extensor mechanism of the knee joint has been attributed as a cause of chondromalacia patellae by many authors Malalignment in the extensor mechanism of the knee joint is supposed to cause the positional change of patella. This positional change of patella can be measured by Q angle and P/PT ratio. Hereby we intened to classify the relationahip between the above measurement lenoting the positional change of patella and chondromalacia patellae. These values were obtained from 60 patients found to have chondromalacia patellae in Han Gang Sacred Heart Hospital, from Jan. 1977 to Sep. 1978. Values were also obtained from 60 normal persons as a control group. Thus a statistical analysis was made for the possible relationship between extensor mechanism of the knee joint and chondromalacia patellae. The following conclusion were made, 1. The sex ratio was 1:1.3 with female preponderance. There was 26 male and 34 female patients, common age group of chondromalacia patellae was age 20-40 years. 2. The average value of Q angle was 11 in control group, while 18 in chondromalacia patellae, having the difference of 7. 3. The average values of Q angle among different sexes were reviewed. The male control group had 9 of average value of Q angle, while male chondromalacia patellae had 16. The female control group had 12 of average value of Q angle, while female chondromalacia patellae had 20. 4. The average value of P/PT ratio was 1.03 in control group, while 0.9 in chondromalacia patellae, having the difference 0.13. For P/PT ratio in different sexes, the average value was 1.01 in male control group. while 0.9 in male chondromalacia patellae. The average value of P/PT ratio was 1.04 in female control group, while 0.89 in female chondromalacia patellae, 5. For statistical survey for these differences, P value was examined by t-test methods. The statistical diffrences of Q angle in male control group and chondromalacia patellae was 3.4 and it was 2.06 in he female. The difference between control group and the chondromalacia patellae in the overall seves was 2.61, thus having statistical significance.
Cartilage Diseases ; Chondromalacia Patellae ; Female ; Heart ; Humans ; Knee Joint ; Knee ; Male ; Patella ; Sex Ratio