Modified Langenskiöld procedure for chronic, recurrent, and congenital patellar dislocation

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine

Background:

• Congenital, chronic, and recurrent patellar dislocations present significant challenges in orthopedic management.
• The Langenskiöld procedure, a reconstructive soft-tissue technique, has been adapted for patellar dislocations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of the modified Langenskiöld procedure in patients with congenital, chronic, and recurrent patellar dislocations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 13 patients (18 knees) treated between 2011 and 2018.
• Patients diagnosed with recurrent, chronic, or congenital patellar dislocations underwent the modified Langenskiöld procedure.
• Mean patient age was 15.8 years, with a follow-up period not explicitly stated but implied by the treatment dates.

Main Results:

• No recurrent lateral dislocations were observed in the congenital or recurrent groups.
• One case of overcorrection with medial patellar maltracking occurred in the congenital group, without requiring further surgery.
• Two dislocations occurred in the chronic group (in one patient) one year postoperatively. Mean Kujala score was 83.7.
• All patients achieved full knee extension postoperatively, even those with preoperative flexion contractures.

Conclusions:

• The modified Langenskiöld reconstruction is effective for challenging congenital and recurrent patellar dislocations.
• Potential complications include re-dislocation and overcorrection, necessitating careful surgical consideration.