[Arthroscopic medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction combined with tibial tuberosity transfer for recurrent...

To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction combined with tibial tuberosity transfer for recurrent patellar dislocation.

Between February 2012 and December 2013, 24 patients (24 knees) with recurrent patellar dislocation were treated with arthroscopic MPFL reconstruction combined with tibial tuberosity transfer. There were 7 males and 17 females, with a mean age of 23.2 years (range, 18-37 years). One patient had recurrence dislocation after operation in the other hospital, and the others were the first operation. The disease duration ranged from 6 months to 20 years (mean, 5.6 years). The patellar apprehension tests were positive. The preoperative Lysholm score was 49.79±11.67 and the Kujala score was 49.63±6.28. X-ray films showed that 13 patients had dysplasia of the patella and femoral trochlea; 8 patients had high tibia (Caton-Deschamps index>1.2); the congruence angle was (23.96±5.54)°. CT examination showed that the tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) value was (23.71±2.35) mm.

All incisions healed by first intention. Twenty-two patients were followed up 59-81 months, with an average of 66.8 months. No dislocation occurred during the follow-up period. The patellar apprehension tests were negative. At 1 week after operation, the results of X-ray films and CT showed that the congruence angle angle was (-1.96±4.65)°, and the TT-TG value was (13.75±1.89) mm, which were significantly lower than those before operation ( P<0.05). At 6 months, 1 year, and last follow-up, Lysholm scores were 81.13±17.76, 91.35±3.60, and 92.23±2.71, respectively; and Kujala scores were 84.04±3.98, 91.48±3.64, and 91.45±3.29, respectively. The Lysholm and Kujala scores were significantly increased after operation when compared with the preoperative scores ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, the effectiveness was excellent in 11 cases, good in 8 cases, and fair in 3 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 86%.

Arthroscopic MPFL reconstruction combined with tibial tuberosity transfer for recurrent patellar dislocation can effectively improve the patellofemoral joint matching relationship and has a satisfactory short- and medium-term effectiveness.