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Evaluation of the patient with patellofemoral complaintsf requires a comprehensive physicl and radiologic investigation.The tangential view is most helpful in the evaluation of such patellofemoral disorders as fchnodromalacia, lateral patellar commpression syndrome,and recurrent subluxation or dislocation. Commonly utillized tangential views include those described by Hughston, Merchant, Laurin, and Fict. Multiple calculations available for quantitation of abnormal tangential views include the sulcus angle, patella index, and patellofermoral index. Lateral radiographic views commonlyutilized to evaluate the patellofemoral joint for patella alta or infera include those described by Blumensaat, Labelle and Lurin,and Insall and Salvati.Utilization of all of the available patellofemoral radiographic views and calculations is impractical and unnecessary. However, to ensure diagnostic accuracy, a routine consisting of a reproducible radiographic technique and various, easily performed clculations that aid in diagnosis must be adopted.
Carson et al. (Tue,) studied this question.