Pain due to bony deviations of the knee
Due to an underdevelopment of the patella (patellar dysplasia), a forward displacement of the thigh or a so-called patella alta (patella too high), an incongruent joint surface between patella and thigh (patella sliding bearing) occurs with the consequence of a deteriorated guidance of the patella. A patella alta is a thigh muscle tendon (patella tendon) that is too long compared to the longitudinal diameter of the patella. As a result of this disproportion, the patella moves too far outwards (laterally) as the knee stretches, the contact surface of the joint decreases and the pressure load of the patella on the thigh increases.
The consequences are irritation of the surrounding soft tissues, damage to the patellar cartilage and pain under pressure. An x-B adjustment of the knee joint (genu valgus) or an O-B adjustment (genu varus) also changes the tension conditions of the thigh extensor (M. Quadriceps) and the position of the patella in its sliding bearing on the thigh. This promotes arthrosis (cartilage degeneration) of the patella and knee joint cartilage.
The patellar cartilage requires adequate pressure and relief in order to remain healthy. In addition to the structural changes described above, the risk factors for cartilage damage include a lack of physical disposition, insufficient exercise and stress, and a mismatch between stress and capacity.
