[External hypertension syndrome of the patella. Its significance in the recognition of arthrosis].

Some chondromalacia are caused by an hyperpressure on the lateral articular facet of the patella. The authors describe the clinical signs and the radiological findings in this condition. It is due to a retraction of the lateral patellar ligament. They have operated on 133 cases and reviewed 115 knees. After a simple section of the lateral patellar ligament, results were satisfactory in 80 percent of the cases. Biopsies of the malacic cartilage were performed and pathological changes were described.