Geographical Prevalence of Isolated Patellofemoral osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is not a single disease [1]. Osteoarthritis affects isolated Tibiofemoral compartment, isolated patellofemoral compartment or the both combined of them. Among various approaches to sub classification of knee osteoarthritis, European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) Task Force recognized subtype of compartmental distribution for diagnosis of osteoarthritis [2]. Traditionally, in cases of osteoarthritis of knee most of the research has focused on understanding of general osteoarthritis of knee or tibiofemoral osteoarthritis of knee. In fact, isolated patellofemoral osteoarthritis may not be so rare. Even though, the PF compartment is rarely considered in investigation of osteoarthritis. Need of the ReviewIdentifying the prevalence of the condition is a milestone for the identification of risk factors, these are directly related to the culture, ethnicity and the lifestyle they have and that makes it easy to decide on the treatment aspect. Current treatment paradigms for Patellofemoral osteoarthritis are inadequate. Furthermore, published guidelines are based exclusively on research utilizing Tibiofemoral osteoarthritis; there is no evidence for Patellofemoral arthritis. In many regions where data is lacking, in future we could have studies mentioning the prevalence rates and also determine the relevance of ethnicity.