Femoral groove

Written by Dr Sheila Strover on March 14, 2025

The femoral groove is the concave region at the lower end of the femur. It is more commonly called the trochlear groove. Page updated July 2024 by Dr Sheila Strover (Clinical Editor)

femoral groove or trochlear groove

The femoral (trochlear) groove accommodates the patella, which slides along it as the knee bends and straightens.

Relationship of patella to trochlear groove

The groove helps to keep the patella within its walls during knee motion, so that the patella does not sublux or dislocate.

If there is mal-alignment, so that the patellar tendon does not align well with the groove, the patient can experience pain from over-pressure on one side of the patella, or instability.

"Dysplasia of the femoral trochlea is a major predisposing factor for instability of the patellofemoral joint."

Hendrik Fahlbusch et al

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Trochlear dysplasia

In some people the groove may be abnormally flat at the upper end, or may even be a bump rather than a groove, making it easy for the patella to jump up and out of this constraint - subluxation or dislocation.

"....Currently expert consensus suggests a conservative treatment after first time dislocation...."

David H Dejour et al

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Patellar subluxation, Patellar dislocation, Trochlear dysplasia, Lateral trochlear inclination angle, Patellofemoral instability

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