A system and method are provided for in vivo, noninvasive diagnosis of
patellar and scapular malalignment and maltracking. The patellar system
and method include a patella-engaging apparatus and a motion analysis
system. The patella-engaging apparatus includes a member that has a
custom-contoured posterior surface that is configured to engage an
anterior surface of a subject's patella. A plurality of markers is
coupled with the anterior surface of the member and the motion analysis
system optically tracks the plurality of markers. The system and method
may optionally include a second portion such as a goniometer that tracks
relative movement of the tibial and femoral portions of the subject's leg
proximate to the patella. The member that has the custom-contoured
posterior surface may be employed in a method and system for treating
malalignment and maltracking, and a method for evaluating the
effectiveness of treatment of the same.