What happens to the patella height in patients with cerebral palsy as they age

Abstract

We aimed to investigate the progression of patella alta (PA) in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) using the Koshino–Sugimoto (KS) index and assess associated risk factors. Participants in our retrospective study met the following inclusion criteria: patients with CP who visited our institute from May 2003 to December 2019, were ≤18 years of age, were followed up for >2 years and had at least two lateral knee radiographs. KS indices of both knee radiographs were measured for each patient. A linear mixed model was implemented. Our participants included 222 CP patients. KS index values were measured via 652 knee radiographs. Reference values of the KS index for those between 4 and 18 years of age were determined according to Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) levels. In all GMFCS levels, the KS index decreased with patients’ ages (P < 0.0001). In groups where the KS index increased, GMFCS levels IV (P = 0.0045) and V (P = 0.0040) were statistically significant. Change in the KS index values indicates that PA improves as patients age within all GMFCS levels. However, in patients with GMFCS levels of IV and V, progressive PA is expected.