Ostadmohammadi Leila, Selk-Ghaffari Maryam, Rahimi Shaghayegh, Mahdaviani Behnaz, Mazaheri Reza, Halabchi Farzin
Department of Sports and Exercise Medicine, Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Sports Medicine Research Centre, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ultrasound. 2025 Aug 16:1742271X251360420. doi: 10.1177/1742271X251360420.
Patellofemoral pain syndrome is a prevalent cause of anterior knee pain, often challenging to diagnose due to its multifactorial aetiology. This study investigates the diagnostic utility of musculoskeletal ultrasonography in patellofemoral pain syndrome and its correlation with pain and functional impairment.
This case-control study enrolled 32 participants (16 patellofemoral pain syndrome, 16 controls). Sonographic measurements of patellar and quadriceps tendons, lateral retinaculum, joint effusion, and trochlear angle were taken. Pain intensity and knee function were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale and Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale . Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
Significant differences in patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon, and lateral retinaculum thicknesses were observed between patellofemoral pain syndrome and control groups. Modified cut-offs adjusted for height improved diagnostic accuracy, with the combination of two out of three criteria yielding 96% sensitivity and 73% specificity. No significant correlation was found between Visual Analogue Scale and sonographic findings, but Kujala scores correlated significantly with tendon and retinaculum thicknesses.
Musculoskeletal ultrasonography offers a non-invasive, reliable diagnostic modality for patellofemoral pain syndrome. A two-out-of-three criteria approach enhances diagnostic precision, suggesting potential utility in clinical and screening settings.
髌股疼痛综合征是膝前疼痛的常见原因，由于其病因多因素，诊断往往具有挑战性。本研究探讨肌肉骨骼超声在髌股疼痛综合征中的诊断效用及其与疼痛和功能障碍的相关性。
本病例对照研究纳入了32名参与者（16名髌股疼痛综合征患者，16名对照组）。对髌腱、股四头肌肌腱、外侧支持带、关节积液和滑车角进行超声测量。使用视觉模拟量表和库贾拉膝前疼痛量表评估疼痛强度和膝关节功能。使用受试者工作特征曲线分析评估诊断准确性。
髌股疼痛综合征组和对照组在髌腱、股四头肌肌腱和外侧支持带厚度上存在显著差异。根据身高调整后的改良临界值提高了诊断准确性，三项标准中的两项组合产生了96%的敏感性和73%的特异性。视觉模拟量表与超声检查结果之间未发现显著相关性，但库贾拉评分与肌腱和支持带厚度显著相关。
肌肉骨骼超声为髌股疼痛综合征提供了一种非侵入性、可靠的诊断方法。三项标准中的两项方法提高了诊断精度，表明在临床和筛查环境中具有潜在效用。
