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Patellar dislocation in skeletally immature patients: semitendinosous and gracilis augmentation for combined medial patellofemoral and medial patellotibial ligament reconstruction

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

Abstract

Purpose

Patellar instability is a frequent condition in children and adolescents. The problem can be associated with malalignment resulting from different anatomical abnormalities. Several surgical procedures have been suggested for recurrent patellar dislocation consequent to failed conservative treatment.

Methods

We present an original surgical procedure for reconstructing both the medial patellofemoral (MPFL) and medial patellotibial ligaments (MPTL) by semitendinosus (ST) tendon with gracilis (G) autograft augmentation in skeletally immature patients with recurrent patellar dislocation.

Results

This technique is effective and permits satisfactory patellar congruency documented by static and dynamic CT.

Conclusions

The operation is associated with optimal functional results and is minimally invasive, causing no growth disturbance.

Level of evidence

Expert opinion, Level V.

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Correspondence to Marco Giordano.

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Giordano, M., Falciglia, F., Aulisa, A.G. et al. Patellar dislocation in skeletally immature patients: semitendinosous and gracilis augmentation for combined medial patellofemoral and medial patellotibial ligament reconstruction. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 20, 1594–1598 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-011-1784-6

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