The SP-ET Index is a New Index for Assessing The Vertical Position of Patella

Background. There were some parameters in previous studies did not better reflect the vertical position of the patella relative to the femoral trochlear. The purposes of this study were to assess the value of the most superior point of patella - entrance of femoral trochlea distance ratio (SP-ET index) as a newer index in defining the vertical position of patella relative to the trochlea, correlate it with the Insall-Salvati ratio, and investigate the effect of the new index on chondromalacia patella. Methods. A total of 99 knees of 77 patients with chondromalacia patella were retrospectively analyzed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data from our database. The Insall–Salvati ratio and SP-ET index were measured on MR images. There were 99 knees just with meniscus rupture were enrolled as the control group. The two parameters of the chondromalacia patella were compared with those of the control group. Results. The Insall–Salvati ratio and SP-ET index in the chondromalacia patella group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.001). The SP-ET index showed a moderate positive correlation with the Insall–Salvati ratio (r=0.307, p<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed the diagnostic efficiency of the SP-ET index was better than that of the Insall–Salvati ratio in patients with chondromalacia patella. Conclusion. The SP-ET index may be a useful complement parameter to define the vertical position of the patella relative to the femoral trochlear. Increased of the SP-ET index may be an important risk factor for chondromalacia patella.