The role of radiography in the evaluation and treatment of common anarthrotic disorders of the patellofemoral joint.

Patellofemoral disorders are among the most common knee problems in the world. Although they are often considered as a group, pathologically the individual disorders are as variable as fingerprints. Treatment of resistant cases requires a detailed understanding of the disorder mechanism to be corrected. Many radiographic techniques, incorporating plain radiography, arthrography, CT, and MRI have been formulated to determine formats of chondromalacia, instability, and malalignment. Many of the techniques reviewed herein reveal distinct abnormalities but do not necessarily provide insight into the best treatment protocols.