Uncovering sex-related differences in patellar facet shape

Researchers examined sex-related differences in the shape of the patellar articular surface.

In a cross-sectional study, published in Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, the researchers analyzed the knees of 40 female patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis, 27 male patients with patellofemoral osteoarthritis, 50 healthy female patients and 47 healthy male patients using computed tomography imaging and 3D models of the patella.

The researchers discovered that the sex-related differences in patellar dimensions were more prominent compared with the differences between healthy patients and those with patellofemoral osteoarthritis. For instance, they observed that male patients had more posteriorly curving, taller and narrower medial facets compared with female patients. Further, the lateral facet shape had greater variance with greater patellofemoral osteoarthritis severity.

The researchers concluded that the increased lateral facet shape variance requires additional research to better identify specific features that may explain the higher prevalence of patellofemoral osteoarthritis in female patients.

Read more: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage

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