• Patricia A Berry, Andrew J Teichtahl, Ana Galevska-Dimitrovska, Fahad S Hanna, Anita E Wluka, Yuanyuan Wang, Donna M Urquhart, Dallas R English, Graham G Giles, and Flavia M Cicuttini.
• Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Monash University Central and Eastern Clinical School, Melbourne, Australia. Patricia.Berry@med.monash.edu.au
• Arthritis Res. Ther. 2008 Jan 1; 10 (6): R143.

IntroductionAlthough vastus medialis and lateralis are important determinants of patellofemoral joint function, their relationship with patellofemoral joint structure is unknown. The aim of this study was to examine potential determinants of vastus medialis and lateralis cross-sectional areas and the relationship between the cross-sectional area and patella cartilage and bone volumes.MethodsTwo hundred ninety-seven healthy adult subjects had magnetic resonance imaging of their dominant knee. Vastus medialis and lateralis cross-sectional areas were measured 37.5 mm superior to the quadriceps tendon insertion at the proximal pole of the patella. Patella cartilage and bone volumes were measured from these images. Demographic data and participation in vigorous physical activity were assessed by questionnaire.ResultsThe determinants of increased vastus medialis and lateralis cross-sectional areas were older age (P ConclusionsOur results in a pain-free community-based population suggest that increased cross-sectional area of vastus medialis, which is associated with vigorous physical activity, and increased patella cartilage and bone volumes may benefit patellofemoral joint health and reduce the long-term risk of patellofemoral pathology.

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