Abstract
Aims: The purpose of the study was to assess the mid-term knee functional results after Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) reconstruction with single semitendinosus autograft in patients with patellofemoral instability.
Methods and Results: Knee function was assessed in 45 patients (46 knees) who underwent MPFL reconstruction with semitendinosus autograft. The tibial insertion of the semitendinosus was preserved whereas the free end, after stripping of the tendon from the musculo-tendinus junction was rerouted through the most distal part of the medial intermuscular septum proximally to the adductor tubercle, to the superomedial border of the patella, where it was fixed. Clinical and radiological evidence of patellar instability and MPFL rupture or deficiency was documented prior to surgery. Knee function was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively with the use of Kujala, Tegner, Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) scores. There were 34 male and 11 female patients with an average age of 32.5 years, ranging from 17 to 60 years. The minimum follow up was 2 years with an average of 33.5 months (range 24–54 months). Fourteen patients (30%) presented a degree of patellofemoral dysplasia. All knee functional scores significantly improved postoperatively. Kujala score improved from 57.7 to 77.1, Tegner score improved from 3.06 to 5.26, IKDC score improved from 51.2 to 75.44 and Lysholm score improved from 58.7 to 79.3. One of the patients required revision of the MPFL reconstruction due to traumatic redislocation of the patella.
Conclusions: At a midterm follow-up, reconstruction of the MPFL with rerouting of the semitendinosus tendon is an effective method with improved function in all patients. Maximum improvement was achieved within the first six postoperative months. Heterogeneity of our population may have affected some of our results.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr Matt Costa and Mr Ben Ollivere. Correspondence should be addressed to Mr Costa at Clinical Sciences Research Institute, University of Warwick, Clifford Bridge Road, Coventry CV2 2DX, UK.
