International Orthopaedics

, Volume 34, Issue 8, pp 1321–1325 | Cite as

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament using a longitudinal patellar tunnel technique

Original Paper
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Abstract

Patellar instability is a common clinical problem affecting a young, active population. A large number of procedures have been described to treat patellar instability. We present the clinical results in a case series of 25 medial patellofemoral ligament reconstructions in 21 patients with up to 30 months follow-up (mean: 7.3). Reconstruction was performed using either the gracilis or semitendinosus tendon autograft. The Tegner activity score improved overall from 3 to 4.4 at follow-up and the mean follow-up Kujala score was 87 (range: 55–100). No patella redislocations were observed. Five patients (20%) required a manipulation under anaesthetic but subsequently regained a satisfactory range of motion. Medial patellofemoral reconstruction with both gracilis and semitendinosus tendon graft using a longitudinal tunnel technique provided good post-operative stability restoring the primary soft tissue restraint to pathological lateral patellar displacement with no complications of post-operative patellar fracture.

Keywords

Interference Screw Medial Femoral Condyle Patellar Dislocation Patellar Instability Trochlear Dysplasia 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2009

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Exeter Knee Reconstruction Unit, Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic CentreRoyal Devon and Exeter HospitalExeterUK
  2. 2.HorrabridgeUK

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