Objective To investigate the effectiveness of reconstructing medial patellofemoral l igament with hamstring tendon autografts for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation under arthroscopy. Methods Between January 2005 and January 2010, 22 cases of recurrent patellar dislocation were treated by lateral retinacular release and reconstructionof the medial patellofemoral ligament with hamstring tendon autografts under arthroscopy. There were 5 males and 17 females, aged 15-19 years (mean, 17.3 years). The average number of dislocation was 4 (range, 3-8). The main cl inical symptoms were pain and swell ing of knee joint, weakness in the leg, and limited range of motion (ROM). The patellar tilt test, pressing pain of patellofemoral ligament insertion, and apprehension sign showed positive results. According to International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scoring criteria, the subjective IKDC score was 36.7 ± 4.7, and the Lysholm score was 69.3 ± 3.8. X-ray films showed that the patella inclined outwards. Results All incisions healed by first intention. Twenty-two cases were followed up 18-49 months (mean, 34 months). Pain and swelling of knee joint and weakness were improved obviously. No recurrence was found during follow-up. The ROM of knee in flexion and extension was improved when compared with preoperative ROM. The subjective IKDC score was 92.4 ± 5.3 and the Lysholm knee score was 91.7 ± 5.2, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative scores (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament with hamstring tendon autografts under arthroscopy is an effective method to treat recurrent patellar dislocation.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of arthroscopic medial retinaculum plication (MRP) for acute patellar dislocation (APD) in adolescents. Methods Between March 2007 and June 2011, 24 adolescent patients suffering from APD were treated by arthroscopic MRP. There were 14 males and 10 females, aged 8-18 years (mean, 12.7 years). The location was the left knee in 16 cases and the right knee in 8 cases. Injury was caused by sports in 19 cases, by traffic accident in 4 cases, and by heavy bruising in 1 case. The duration from injury to operation was 3 to 21 days with an average of 7.8 days. The results of floating patella test and dislocation apprehension test were both positive. MRI examination showed the arthroedema in all cases; associated injuries included medial retinaculum injury in 20 cases, medial patellar injury in 8 cases, and meniscus tear in 5 cases. Results All incisions healed by first intention without complication of infection or neurovascular injury. All the patients were followed up 12-36 months (mean, 14.6 months). Only 2 patients suffered from patellar re-dislocation at 4 months and 6 months after operation respectively. The knee joint activity returned to normal at 12 months. The Lysholm, Kujala, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores at 3 and 12 months after operation were significantly higher than those before operation (P lt; 0.05), and the scores at 12 months were significantly higher than those at 3 months (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Treatment of APD with arthroscopic MRP has the advantages of minor trauma and good knee functional improvement. The technique can decrease incidence of patellar re-dislocation in adolescent.
Objective To evaluate an improving operative procedure and the cl inical results of arthroscopically assisted treatment for acute patellar dislocation. Methods Between April 2006 and March 2009, 22 patients (25 knees) with primary acute complete dislocation of the patella underwent an improving arthroscopic operation, release of lateral retinaculum and suture of medial capsule and retinaculum structure. There were 5 males and 17 females with an average age of 23.6 years (range, 14-34 years). Three patients had bilateral procedure. Eleven left knees and 14 right knees were involved. The disease duration was 1-10 days with an average of 5.9 days. All patients had lateral dislocation; of them, 14 patients showed reduction without treatment, and 8 patients showed dislocation at admission and were given close manipulative reduction. The results were positive for apprehension test in all patients with the l imitation of passive motion and for Ballottable Patella Sign in 15 cases. Lysholm score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and Insall scale were adopted to evaluate the effect. Results All incisions healed by first intention. All the patients were followed up 12-36 months (17 months on average). During the first 3 months after operation, sunken skin in the puncture point medial to the patella was observed in 12 knees; 10 knees suffered pain of the soft tissue lateral to the patella; 15 knees felt tense in the soft tissue medial to the patella, however, all these problems disappeared or recovered gradually after rehabil itation and conservative treatment. No recurrence of dislocation was observed during the follow-up. Lysholm score was significantly improved from preoperative 67.3 ± 5.7 to postoperative 96.6 ± 4.5 (t=3.241, P=0.003) and VAS score from 6.5 ± 0.5 to 1.8 ± 0.4 (t=2.154, P=0.040). According to Insall scale, the results were excellent in 18 knees, good in 5 knees, and fair in 2 knees at 1 year after operation with an excellent and good rate of 92%. Conclusion The improving procedure of arthroscopically assisted treatment for acute patellar dislocation is a minimally invasive operation and has a number of benefits. Its short-term cl inical outcome was satisfactory.
Objective To investigate the procedure and effectiveness of medial patellofemoral l igament (MPFL) reconstruction for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation. Methods Between June 2005 and September 2007, 29 patients with recurrent patellar dislocation underwent MPFL reconstruction with allograft semitendinosus or allograft anterior tibial is tendon. There were 6 males and 23 females with an average age of 20.3 years (range, 13-45 years). The patients sufferedfrom 2-10 times patellar dislocation preoperatively. The average time between last dislocation and surgery was 43.9 months (range, 1-144 months). CT scan was performed to measure the tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (TT-TG). The femoral tunnel was made at the origin of MPFL insertion, just inferior to the medial epicondyle. The double L-shape patellar tunnels were made on the medial rim of patella with 4.5 mm in diameter. The loop side of the graft was fixed with a bioabsorbable interference screw in the femoral tunnel both ends of the graft. For the TT-TG was more than 20 mm, a modified Elmsl ie-Trillat osteotomy was performed to correct the distal al ignment of patella. The arthroscopic examination was also performed for loosebody and lateral retinacular release. Results Twenty-seven patients were followed up 45.5 months on average (range, 40-67 months). No recurrent dislocation or subdislocation occurred. All the patients showed negative apprehension test at 0° and 30° flexions of knee. The range of motion of knee restored normal 1 year after operation. The Kujala score was improved from 72.03 ± 17.38 preoperatively to 94.10 ± 7.59 postoperatively, and Lysholm score was improved from 72.65 ± 14.70 to 95.44 ± 6.25, both showing significant differences (P lt; 0.05). The Tegner score was decreased from 5.25 ± 1.83 preoperatively to 4.33 ± 1.00 postoperatively, showing no significant difference (t=1.302, P=0.213). In patients whose TT-TG was more than 20 mm, TTTG was decreased from (23.38 ± 3.70) mm to (16.88 ± 5.92) mm at last follow-up, showing significant difference (t=2.822,P=0.026). Conclusion The technique of MPFL reconstruction is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation, which can improve the patella stabil ity and knee function.
ObjectiveTo summarize the progress of research related to the surgical treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation by peripatellar osteotomy in clinical practice, in order to provide reference for clinical treatment. MethodsThe recent literature on peripatellar osteotomy for recurrent patellar dislocation at home and abroad was reviewed, and the bony structural abnormalities, imaging diagnosis, and treatment status were summarized. ResultsAbnormalities in the bony anatomy of the lower limb and poor alignment lead to patellofemoral joint instability through the quadriceps pulling force line and play an important role in the pathogenesis of recurrent patellar dislocation. Identifying the source of the deformity and intervening with peripatellar osteotomy to restore the biomechanical structure of the patellofemoral joint can reduce the risk of soft tissue surgical failure, delay joint degeneration, and achieve the target of treatment. ConclusionIn the clinical diagnosis and treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation, the factors causing patellofemoral joint instability should be comprehensively evaluated to guide the selection of surgery and personalized treatment.
Objective To explore the effectiveness of arthroscopic medial retinaculum pl ication (MRP) for recurrent patellar dislocation in adolescents. Methods Between March 2000 and October 2007, 30 adolescent patients with recurrent patellar dislocation underwent arthroscopic MRP, and 28 of them (12 left knees and 16 right knees) completed thefinal follow-up and were enrolled. There were 5 males and 23 females with an average age of 14.7 years (range, 12-19 years). The dislocation duration was 4 to 39 months with an average of 18.8 months. All patients experienced 2-4 episodes of dislocation. Before operation, all the patients showed positive apprehension test; the degree of lateral patellar translation was (2.9 ± 0.7)° and there was no hardness termination in lateral translation. The International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Lysholm, Kujala, and Tegner scores were 47.7 ± 3.7, 52.6 ± 4.9, 66.7 ± 5.9, and 3.1 ± 1.3, respectively. All patients underwent arthroscopic MRP procedure. Results All incisions healed by first intention without compl ication. All the patients were followed up 2-7 years (4.8 years on average). During the follow-up, more and more patients showed positive apprehension test, and at 24 months of follow-up, 12 patients showed positive apprehension test; less and less patients had hardness termination in lateral translation, only 3 patients at 24 months of follow-up; the degree of lateral patellar translation increased, (2.3 ± 1.1)° at 24 months of follow-up. There were significant differences in positive apprehension test and hardness termination between preoperation and 24 months of follow-up (P lt; 0.05). Moreover, 6 patients suffered from redislocation, and 23 patients experienced patella instabil ity. The IKDC, Lysholm, Kujala, and Tegner scores at 24 months of follow-up were 62.5 ± 6.2, 70.7 ± 5.1, 76.6 ± 4.8, and 3.9 ± 0.7, respectively, showing significant differences when compared with preoperative scores (P lt; 0.05). CT examination showed that the congruence angle, lateral patellar angle, and patellar tilt angle were recovered to normal level after operation immediately, however, the final patellar position at 24 months of follow-up was not significantly betterthan that before surgery (P gt; 0.05). There was significant difference in the lateral patellar displacement between preoperation and 24 months of follow-up (P lt; 0.05). Conclusion Arthroscopic MRP is not rel iable for maintaining the corrected position of the patella for recurrent patellar dislocation in adolescents, though functional improvements are significant.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the operability and effectiveness of a self-developed patellar bone canal locator (hereinafter referred to as “locator”) in the reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL). Methods A total of 38 patients with recurrent patellar dislocation who met the selection criteria admitted between January 2022 and December 2022 were randomly divided into study group (the patellar canal was established with a locator during MPFL reconstruction) and control group (no locator was used in MPFL reconstruction), with 19 cases in each group. There was no significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05), such as gender, age, body mass index, disease duration, patella Wiberg classification, constituent ratio of cartilage injury, Caton index, tibia tubercle-trochlear groove, and preoperative Lysholm score, Kujal score, Tegner score, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and so on. The Lysholm score, Kujal score, Tegner score, and VAS score were used to evaluate knee joint function before operation and at 3 days,1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation. The ideal prepatellar cortical thickness and canal length were measured before operation, and the actual prepatellar cortical thickness and canal length after operation were also measured, and D1 (the distance between the ideal entrance and the actual entrance), D2 (the ideal canal length minus the actual canal length), D3 (the ideal prepatellar cortical thickness minus the actual prepatellar cortical thickness) were calculated.ResultsPatients in both groups were followed up 6-8 months (mean, 6.7 months). The incision length and intraoperative blood loss in the study group were smaller than those in the control group, but the operation time was longer than that in the control group, the differences were significant (P<0.05). There was no complication such as incision infection, effusion, and delayed healing in both groups, and no further dislocation occurred during follow-up. One patient in the study group had persistent pain in the anserine area after operation, and the symptoms were relieved after physiotherapy. The VAS score of the two groups increased significantly at 3 days after operation, and gradually decreased with the extension of time; the change trends of Lysholm score, Kujal score, and Tegner score were opposite to VAS score. Except that the Lysholm score and Kujal score of the study group were higher than those of the control group at 3 days after operation, and the VAS score of the study group was lower than that of the control group at 3 days and 1 month after operation, the differences were significant (P<0.05), there was no significant difference in the scores between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05). Patellar bone canal evaluation showed that there was no significant difference in preoperative simulated ideal canal length, prepatellar cortical thickness, and postoperative actual canal length between the two groups (P>0.05). The postoperative actual prepatellar cortical thickness of the study group was significantly smaller than that of the control group (P<0.05). D1 and D3 in the study group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in D2 between the two groups (P>0.05). ConclusionThe locator can improve the accuracy of MPFL reconstruction surgery, reduce the possibility of intraoperative damage to the articular surface of patella and postoperative patellar fractures.
Objective To evaluate the early effectiveness of transosseous suture fixation in treating recurrent acute patellar dislocation with patellar osteochondral fractures (OCFs). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 19 patients with recurrent acute patellar dislocation and patellar OCFs, who underwent transosseous suture fixation between January 2018 and December 2022 and were followed up 2 years. The cohort included 8 males and 11 females, aged 13-21 years (mean, 16.2 years). Patients experienced 2-5 times of patellar dislocation (mean, 3.2 times). The interval from the last dislocation to operation ranged from 3 to 15 days (mean, 9.6 days). Preoperative imaging revealed the intra-articular osteochondral fragments and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) injury. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain, the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score, the Lysholm score, and the Tegner score. Postoperative complications were recorded. During follow-up, the knee X-ray films, CT, and MRI were taken to evaluate fragment healing, displacement, and the morphology and tension of the MPFL reconstruction graft. Results All incisions healed primarily, and no complication occurred such as infection, joint stiffness, patellofemoral arthritis, or redislocation. Patients were followed up 24-60 months (mean, 43.5 months). At 12 months postoperatively and the last follow-up, significant improvements (P<0.05) were observed in VAS, Lysholm, IKDC, HSS, and Tegner scores compared to preoperative values. Further improvements were observed at last follow-up compared with the 12 months postoperatively, and the differences were significant (P<0.05). Imaging studies demonstrated satisfactory osteochondral fragment positioning with stable fixation. At last follow-up, all fragments had healed, and MPFL reconstruction grafts exhibited optimal morphology and tension. No joint adhesion or fragment displacement occurred. ConclusionFor recurrent acute patellar dislocation with patellar OCFs, transosseous suture fixation proves to be both safe and effective, achieving satisfactory early effectiveness.
ObjectiveTo investigate the short-term effectiveness of derotational distal femoral osteotomy (DDFO) combined with medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction in treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation with excessive femoral anteversion angle (FAA≥30°). MethodsBetween June 2017 and August 2019, 17 patients with recurrent patellar dislocation with FAA≥30° were treated with DDFO and MPFL reconstruction. There were 5 males and 12 females, aged 14-22 years, with an average of 17.7 years. The patella dislocated for 2 to 8 times (mean, 3.6 times). The disease duration was 2-7 years (mean, 4.6 years). The patellar apprehension tests were positive. Preoperative pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Lysholm score, Tegner score, and Kujala score were 4.2±1.1, 47.8±8.1, 3.6±1.1, and 56.8±5.7, respectively. FAA, mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), lateral patella displacement (LPD), tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) were (34.9±3.4)°, (85.8±3.0)°, (13.7±3.8) mm, and (23.1±2.1) mm, respectively. ResultsAll incisions healed by first intention, and there was no complications such as knee stiffness, infection, and re-dislocation of the patella. All patients were followed up 13-25 months, with an average of 17.7 months. The imaging review showed that 1 case of osteotomy did not union, and achieved satisfactory results after the secondary revision and strengthening fixation; the osteotomies of other patients healed completely after 3 to 4 months of operation. The patellar apprehension tests were negative. At last follow-up, the FAA, mLDFA, LPD, and TT-TG were (15.6±2.7)°, (83.0±2.1)°, (5.0±2.6) mm, and (20.5±2.5) mm, respectively; the VAS score, Lysholm score, Tegner score, and Kujala score were 2.4±1.4, 93.4±7.8, 6.8±1.5, and 89.0±8.0, respectively. There were significant differences in the above indicators between pre- and post-operation (P<0.05). ConclusionDDFO combined with MPFL reconstruction for the recurrent patellar dislocation with excessive FAA (≥30°) can achieve good short-term effectiveness, significantly reduce knee pain, and improve function.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of modified single patellar tunnel medial patella femoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction in the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation. MethodsBetween January 2023 and June 2023, a total of 61 patients with recurrent patellar dislocation who underwent MPFL reconstruction with autologous semitendinosus were enrolled and divided into 2 groups using random number table method. In the patellar anchor group, 31 patients were treated with MPFL reconstruction with double medial patellar anchors, and 30 patients in the patellar tunnel group were treated with MPFL reconstruction with single patellar tunnel. The femoral ends of both groups were fixed with absorbable compression screws. There was no significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, side, tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG), Q angle, Caton-Deschamps index, number of dislocation, and preoperative Kujala score, preoperative patellar inclination angle (P>0.05). Patellar tunnel, patellar anchor position, patellar reduction, and the patellar inclination angle were measured by CT scan after operation. Kujala score was used to evaluate the function of knee joint before operation, at 2 weeks and 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation. Incision aesthetic satisfaction score was performed at 3 months after operation. The signal-to-noise quotient (SNQ) of the transplanted tendon was measured by knee MRI at 12 months after operation to compare the maturity of the graft between the two groups. Results There was no significant difference in operation time and intraoperative blood loss between the two groups (P>0.05). Knee CT reexamination showed that the patellar tunnel and the patellar anchor position were consistent with the intraoperative fluoroscopy. There was no significant difference in the difference of the patellar inclination angle between the two groups before and after operation (P>0.05). All patients were followed up 12-14 months (mean, 12.8 months). There was 1 case of patellar anchor suture rejection in patellar anchor group, and the wound healed after debridement and dressing change. During the follow-up, there was no complication such as recurrence of patellar dislocation, infection and postoperative stiffness. The Kujala scores of the two groups significantly improved at each time point after 1 month of operation when compared with those before operation (P<0.05), and the Kujala scores of the two groups returned to normal levels at 3 months after operation. The Kujala score in the patellar tunnel group was significantly higher than that in the patellar anchor group in the very early stage (2 weeks) (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the two groups at other time points (P>0.05). Patients in the patellar tunnel group were significantly better than those in the patellar anchor group in the score of incision aesthetic satisfaction at 3 months after operation and the SNQ at 12 months after operation (P<0.05). Conclusion Modified single patellar tunnel MPFL reconstruction was used to treat patients with recurrent patellar dislocation without pathological TT-TG. The slide-fixation structure formed by single patellar tunnel positioning provides a variable degree of freedom for the reconstructed MPFL, which shows good effectiveness in the very early stage of the rehabilitation process.