Patellar tracking

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

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

Illustration of the patella in the underlying trochlear groove, looking down from a skyline perspective
From the viewpoint of looking down from the seated position, the small patella usually fits snugly in the underlying trochlear groove of the femur.
An illustration showing an oblique view of the knee joint, particularly illustrating how the patella snugs into its underlying groove on the femur.
Looking from the side, as the knee bends and straightens the patella should remain aligned properly in the groove.

What is maltracking?

The prefix 'mal-' means 'bad', so maltracking of the patella is when the kneecap does not run smoothly in its underlying groove.

This may be experienced as a sudden 'catching' of the kneecap, or the knee suddenly 'giving way'

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Causes of tracking problems

Because the patella in integrated in the tendon of the quadriceps muscle, its tracking can be affected by many factors from hip problems down to foot problems, including...

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A-Z Keywords

Trochlear groove, Trochlear dysplasia, Catching, Patellar malalignment, Patellar subluxation, Patellar dislocation, Patellar instability

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