[Plain film appearances of chondropathia patellae. Morphological changes after surgical treatment (author's transl)].

The localised patella defects in our material of 90 patients were largely unchanged up to nine months after surgical treatment. Persistence of soft tissue swelling round the knee correlates with continuing pain. In some cases there has been remineralisation of the patella, which can be regarded as a stage in healing. Unchanged or deteriorating radiological findings may be associated with clinical improvement or deterioration.