Surgical Options for Patellar Stabilization in the Skeletally Immature Patient

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Patellar instability in children and adolescents presents unique surgical challenges.
• Identifying and addressing associated pathoanatomies is crucial for successful management.
• Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction is a common but potentially complicated treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the complexities of surgical management for patellar instability in skeletally immature individuals.
• To emphasize the importance of understanding unique patient anatomies and surgical techniques.
• To evaluate the safety and efficacy of surgical interventions despite open growth plates.

Main Methods:

• Review of surgical techniques for pediatric patellar instability.
• Analysis of pathoanatomies contributing to patellar instability.
• Consideration of surgical approaches in the presence of open physes.

Main Results:

• Surgical management requires careful identification and selective addressing of pathoanatomies.
• Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction is a key component, but requires meticulous technique.
• Effective and safe surgical outcomes are achievable in skeletally immature patients.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric patellar instability surgery demands a nuanced approach to pathoanatomy and technique.
• Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, while effective, necessitates awareness of potential complications.
• Surgical intervention for patellar instability in skeletally immature patients can be performed safely and effectively.