Abstract

Aims: To study clinical outcome of patients treated with a new design of the patellar tendon-tibial tubercle graft, which has reliable stability for transfer in recurrent dislocation of patella. Methods: 22 dislocations in 19 patients (3 bilateral) operated by this new technique were reviewed. There were 14 female and 5 male patients. Indications for surgery included functional disability due to repeated dislocations and failure of conservative management. Average age of the patient: 26 years (15–39 years). Duration of follow-up: 12–88months. Demographic data was collected by reviewing the case notes. Postoperative evaluation based on subjective pain evaluation score and Lysholm knee score. Surgical approach: limited infrapatellar midline incision, no internal fixation in any of the cases. Results: 75% of the patients had excellent to good result. There was no recurrence of instability/dislocation in any of the cases. Fair & poor (25%) results were graded based on stiffness and pain Conclusions: Multiple surgical procedures have been described for the management of recurrent dislocation of patella ranging from soft tissue realignment to bony procedures with internal fixation. Our results showed good functional improvement in the majority of the patients. This procedure is less extensive compared to the original procedure. Also there is the added advantage of no internal fixation and hence a second surgery for the removal of the implant can be avoided.