A method for assessing the height of the patella.

In 150 normal subjects the distance (P) between the upper and lower limits of the articular surface of the patella, and the shortest distance (T) between this same lower limit and the tibial plateau, were measured in standard lateral views of the knee in about 30 degrees of flexion. The limits of confidence of the T/P ratio are shown in the Table. The 5% upper limit of normality of this ratio is 1.11 (one-sided). This method of determining the position of the patella is accurate and more simple than those previously described.