Knee A to Z

Patellar tilt is when the kneecap (patella) is tilted to one side, generally the lateral (outer) side, associated with tightness in the lateral retinaculum, the fibrous restraint at the lateral side of the patella.

The patellar tilt test assesses the tautness of the retinacular tissue on either side of the patella. A tight retinaculum on one side may cause excessive pressure against the wall of the underlying groove, leading to pain.

Patellar tracking is the gliding of the patella within the underlying groove of the femur bone.

Patellar stabilisation methods include braces and surgery to reduce the tendency of the patella to sublux or dislocate sideways out of its underlying groove.

Patellectomy is a surgical procedure where part or all of the patella bone is cut out.

'Patellofemoral' is a descriptive word referring to that area of the knee where the kneecap (patella) is in contact with the thighbone (femur).

Patellofemoral arthritis is joint cartilage destruction of one or both surfaces of the joint between the patella and the femur.

Patellofemoral dislocation is when the patella jumps completely out of the restraining walls of the groove in the femur bone.

In patellofemoral instabilty the patella (kneecap) changes its relationship to the groove of the femur bone (thighbone) and may partially or fully de-rail.

The patellofemoral joint is the contact area between the undersurface of the patella and the groove of the femur bone.