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Reconstructive surgery for patellofemoral joint incongruency

  • Knee
  • Published:
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy Aims and scope

Abstract

Purpose

A retrospective analysis of a heterogeneous patient cohort was performed to determine the outcome and eligibility of a combined trochleaplasty and soft tissue-balancing technique for repair of patellofemoral joint disorders.

Methods

A strict surgical treatment algorithm including trochleaplasty and reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament and vastus medialis oblique muscle was implemented to restore the patellofemoral joint. A heterogeneous patient cohort including 46 consecutively treated symptomatic knees was reviewed. The median follow-up period was 4.7 years (range 24–109 months).

Results

No patellar redislocation occurred post-operatively, and the median Kujala score improved from 62 (9–96) to 88 (47–100) points (p < 0.001) at follow-up. Radiological signs of trochlear dysplasia were corrected, and both patellar height and trochlear depth were significantly restored after surgery. In total, 16 % of affected patients with pre-existing patellofemoral degenerative changes showed progression of osteoarthrosis according to the Kellgren and Lawrence classification.

Conclusion

The surgical combination of trochleaplasty and reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament and vastus medialis oblique muscle offers excellent clinical and radiological results. The overall results of the present study showed significant improvement of the Kujala score in patients with Dejour grades C and D dysplasia. These results outline the clinical relevance of trochleaplasty with additional soft tissue balancing as an effective joint-preserving method with satisfying results in patients with pre-existing degenerative changes.

Level of evidence

IV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany

    M. V. Neumann

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hôpital Cantonal Fribourg, Fribourg, Switzerland

    M. Stalder

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Spital Netz Bern Ziegler, Bern, Switzerland

    A. J. Schuster

Authors
  1. M. V. Neumann
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  2. M. Stalder
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  3. A. J. Schuster
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Correspondence to M. V. Neumann.

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Neumann, M.V., Stalder, M. & Schuster, A.J. Reconstructive surgery for patellofemoral joint incongruency. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 24, 873–878 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3397-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-014-3397-3

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