Arthroscopic patellar reinsertion of the MPFL in acute patellar dislocations
P P Mariani1, L Liguori, G Cerullo
1Università Foro Italico Roma, Piazza L. De Bosis 5, 00194, Rome, Italy. pierpaolo.mariani@uniroma4.it
Purpose:
The objective of this study was to evaluate the mid-term results of a new technique for the arthroscopic repair of MPFL after an acute patellar dislocation (APD).
Materials:
The series included 17 patients (11 men and 6 women) with a first episode of acute patellar dislocation; treated over a period of 6 years. Re-dislocation, subjective symptoms and functional limitations were evaluated at an average follow-up of 2.2 years (1-5.5). The patients were evaluated with the Lysholm and the Kujala scoring systems.
Results:
At follow-up, no re-dislocation was reported. Only one patient referred an episode of patellar instability, without a distinct dislocation. The postoperative median Lysholm score was 90 (72-100). The median Kujala score was 92 (75-100). Fourteen out of 17 patients were able to return to sports at the same level as before.
Conclusion:
When the MPFL is avulsed from the patella, the proposed technique has the advantage of restoring tension of the ligament through reattachment at the patellar border with two trans-patellar sutures. The full-arthroscopic approach has the advantage of being less invasive and having a shorter recovery time.