Mountain view of the patella.

Radiographic evaluation of the patellofemoral joint is usually attempted with the "sunrise" view originally described by Settegast in 1921. Unfortunately this view both fails to demonstrate the articular surfaces of the patellofemoral joint and can be painful for the acutely traumatized patient. A tangential view of the patellofemoral joint, the "mountain" view, has been known to orthopedic surgeons for several years but has never been mentioned in the radiology literature. The mountain view is well tolerated by the patient, requires no special equipment, and it gives a better view of the articulating surfaces of the patellofemoral compartment than the sunrise view. Selected cases demonstrating the usefulness of this view are illustrated and include examples of subluxation, fracture, and degenerative joint disease not apparent on sunrise views.