Frog-eyed patella, also known as patella alta or high-riding patella, is a condition where the kneecap is higher than normal in relation to the thigh bone. This can place excessive stress on the kneecap, which can lead to a number of problems, ranging from pain and inflammation to instability and dislocation of the kneecap.
Here are some of the reasons why frog-eyed patella is considered bad or problematic:
- Poor knee mechanics: When the kneecap is higher than normal, it does not track properly in the groove of the thigh bone, resulting in altered knee mechanics. This can lead to additional wear and tear on the cartilage and other soft tissues of the knee joint.
- Patellar tendon strain: A higher-riding patella can put extra strain on the patellar tendon, which attaches the kneecap to the shinbone. This can result in patellar tendonitis, a painful condition that occurs when the patellar tendon becomes inflamed.
- Knee instability: A high-riding patella can also make the knee joint more unstable, which can lead to episodes of patellar dislocation or subluxation (partial dislocation). These episodes can cause significant pain, swelling, and instability in the knee joint.
- Increased risk of arthritis: Over time, the abnormal mechanics and wear and tear on the kneecap and adjacent joint surfaces can lead to the development of osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint condition that is characterized by joint pain, stiffness, and loss of function.
In summary, frog-eyed patella is considered a bad condition because it can lead to poor knee mechanics, patellar tendon strain, knee instability, and an increased risk of arthritis.