Anatomical Causes for Patellofemoral Pain in Basketball Players

Abstract

Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is one of the most common knee problems in sport medicine, especially among running and jumping sports like basketball. It is a complex clinical entity with yet not completely understood pathophysiology, caused by a complex network of anatomic, kinematic, and physiologic factors. The aim of this chapter is to describe and integrate the anatomic factors that have a significant role in PFP. First, we discuss bone morphology of the trochlea and patella and how it determines the patellofemoral congruence, and patellar height, fundamental to a correct patellar engagement on the femur during initial degrees of knee flexion. Another important factor explored in this chapter is lower limb alignment—varus, valgus, and torsional deformities like femoral anteversion and external tibial rotation—and their relation with Q-angle, TT–TG, and patellar tracking. The importance of the medial and lateral static and dynamic soft tissue stabilizers, fundamental structures for the correct engagement of the patella on the trochlea are also discussed. Then we take a look into a topic that has gained some relevance in the last years: the importance of hip and core stability in PF disorders. We end this chapter with some notes on cartilage thickness, wear, and contact areas in PFP disorders.