The tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove (TT–TG) distance is a radiographic measurement that is used to quantify malalignment of the patellofemoral joint (PFJ) in cross-sectional imaging. There is an ongoing debate about the impact of the TT–TG-distance on lateral patellar instability and the initiating of cartilage degeneration. In this prospective study, the association of T2* relaxation times and TT–TG distances in professional soccer players was analyzed. 36 knees of 18 professional soccer players (age: 21 ± 2.8 years) were evaluated. Participants underwent knee MRI at 3 T. For qualitative image analysis, fat-saturated 2D PD-weighted Fast Spin Echo (FSE) and T1-weighted FSE sequences were used. For quantitative analysis, T2* measurements in 3D data acquisitions were performed. In a qualitative analysis there was no structural cartilage damage and no abnormalities of the patellar and trochlea shape. The highest T2* values (26.7 ± 5.9 ms) were observed in the central compartment of the patella. The mean TT–TG distance was 10 ± 4 mm (range 3–20 mm). There was no significant correlation between TT–TG distance and T2* relaxation times in all three compartments of the retropatellar cartilage. Our study shows that so long as patellar and trochlear morphology is normal, TT–TG distance alone does not affect the tissue structure of the retropatellar cartilage in professional soccer players.

胫骨结节-滑车槽 (TT-TG) 距离是一种放射学测量，用于量化横断面成像中髌股关节 (PFJ) 的排列不正。关于 TT-TG 距离对外侧髌骨不稳定性和软骨退变开始的影响，一直存在争论。在这项前瞻性研究中，分析了职业足球运动员 T2* 弛豫时间与 TT-TG 距离之间的关联。对 18 名职业足球运动员（年龄：21 ± 2.8 岁）的 36 膝进行了评估。参与者在 3 T 下接受了膝关节 MRI。对于定性图像分析，使用了脂肪饱和 2D PD 加权快速自旋回波 (FSE) 和 T1 加权 FSE 序列。对于定量分析，进行了 3D 数据采集中的 T2* 测量。在定性分析中，没有结构性软骨损伤，也没有髌骨和滑车形状的异常。在髌骨的中央隔室中观察到最高的 T2* 值 (26.7 ± 5.9 ms)。平均 TT-TG 距离为 10 ± 4 mm（范围 3-20 mm）。在髌后软骨的所有三个隔室中，TT-TG 距离和 T2* 弛豫时间之间没有显着相关性。我们的研究表明，只要髌骨和滑车形态正常，单独的 TT-TG 距离不会影响职业足球运动员的髌后软骨组织结构。在髌后软骨的所有三个隔室中，TT-TG 距离和 T2* 弛豫时间之间没有显着相关性。我们的研究表明，只要髌骨和滑车形态正常，单独的 TT-TG 距离不会影响职业足球运动员的髌后软骨组织结构。在髌后软骨的所有三个隔室中，TT-TG 距离和 T2* 弛豫时间之间没有显着相关性。我们的研究表明，只要髌骨和滑车形态正常，单独的 TT-TG 距离不会影响职业足球运动员的髌后软骨组织结构。