Abstract
To share our results following Medial Patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for patellar instability problems using ipsilateral semitendinosus graft anchored to the patella and the medial femoral condyle using biotenodesis screws.
Study design and methods: 35 patients were assessed with a mean follow up of 18 months. All patients had preoperative true lateral knee x-ray, MRI or CT scan to look at trochlear dysplasia and the sulcus tuberosity distance. They all under went MPFL reconstruction using ipsilateral semitendinosus tendon. Two patients had sulcus tuberosity distance greater than 20 mm and they under went a tibial tubercle transfer in addition. Two patients had trochlear dysplasia and hence a trochlearplasty was also done. In skeletally mature patients the hamstrings tendon were anchored to the medial side of the patella in a 5×15mm blind tunnel using biotenodesis screw. This significantly reduces the risk of having patella fracture. All patients were treated by the same surgeon and assessments were performed by a different surgeon based on kujala scores and tegner scores.
Results: Symptom relief was noted in all patients with in 3 months. No patient had patella dislocation or fracture after this procedure. They all had full range of movements and their kujala scores and tegner scores were good to excellent.
Conclusion: MPFL reconstruction using hamstrings tendon anchored to the medial side of the patella and femur using biotenodesis screw gave a good result clinically and is associated with fewer complications including patellar fractures.
Correspondence should be addressed to Mr T Wilton, c/o BOA, BASK at the Royal College of Surgeons, 35–43 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London WC2A 3PE, England.
