Chondromalacia patellae: a radiographic study of the femoropatellar joint.

X-rays of 71 patients operated on for chondromalacia patellae were examined in order to obtain a comprehensive picture of the radiographic changes in this disease. Ninety-seven patients with a normal patellofemoral joint - found at operation - were used as a control group. We found a significantly higher frequency of patella alta and the presence of Haglund's excavation in patients with chondromalacia but had to conclude that ordinary X-rays cannot be used to confirm the diagnosis chondromalacia patellae.