Ultrasound and Power Doppler findings in jumper's knee - preliminary observations

Abstract

Objective: to examine a group of high risk athletes, for signs of inflammation in jumper's knee (JK) by gray-scale ultrasonography (US) and color/Power Doppler findings in JK.

Subjects and methods: eighteen high-elite basketball players participated in the investigation after a match. Seven players were examined by ultrasound before the match as well. The players were clinically examined for signs of JK and filled in a questionnaire concerning previous and present knee symptoms.

Results: clinical signs of JK were found in 13 knees. Of these knees, ten had hypoechoic areas and six had Power Doppler flow. Four players reported symptoms of JK and clinical examination suspected the same. Three of them had both hypoechoic areas and Power Doppler flow. Fourteen players were asymptomatic at the time of examination but both hypoechoic areas and Power Doppler flow was found in the patellar tendons of four players. No correlation was found between clinical findings, symptoms of JK and US findings - including Power Doppler. The risk of type II error in this material is considerable.

Conclusion: an association between gray-scale US and color/Power Doppler was found in JK which may suggest an inflammatory component to be a part of the pathogenesis of JK.