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Medial patellofemoral ligament anatomy: implications for its surgical reconstruction

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

Abstract

The purpose of the present study, based on 23 cadaveric knees, was to perform a detailed anatomical analysis of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL), especially its femoral attachment, its relationships with the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) and the medial collateral ligament, with the objective of improving its surgical reconstruction. The femoral insertion of the MPFL was defined using an orthonormal frame centered on the middle of the femoral MPFL insertion. The whole measurements were taken using a millimetric compass with a precision of ±1 mm. The MPFL was always observed, its length was 57.7 ± 5.8 mm, the junction between the VMO and the MPFL always present measured 25.7 ± 6.0 mm. When it comes to MPFL reconstruction, the key point is its positioning in the femoral insertion because it is this insertion that is going to restore isometry. By using the orthonormal frame it has to be positioned 10 mm behind the medial epicondyle and 10 mm distal to the adductor tubercle.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Physiologie de l’Exercice, EA 4338, Saint Étienne, France

    Rémi Philippot

  2. Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire de Saint Etienne, 42055, Saint Étienne Cedex 2, France

    Rémi Philippot

  3. Laboratoire de Biomécanique et Mécanique des Chocs, UMR-T 9406, 69675, Bron, France

    J. Chouteau, R. Testa, M. H. Fessy & B. Moyen

  4. Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique, Centre Hospitalier Lyon Sud Chemin Grand Revoyet, 69310, Pierre Bénite, France

    J. Chouteau, R. Testa, M. H. Fessy & B. Moyen

  5. Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique, Centre Hospitalier Edouard Herriot, 5 pl Arsonval, 69437, Lyon Cedox 03, France

    J. Wegrzyn

  6. Orthopaedic Surgery Department, Bellevue Hospital, 42055, Saint Étienne Cedex 2, France

    Rémi Philippot

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  1. Rémi Philippot
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  2. J. Chouteau
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  3. J. Wegrzyn
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  4. R. Testa
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  5. M. H. Fessy
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Correspondence to Rémi Philippot.

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Philippot, R., Chouteau, J., Wegrzyn, J. et al. Medial patellofemoral ligament anatomy: implications for its surgical reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 17, 475–479 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-0722-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-009-0722-3

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