Midterm Results After Isolated Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction as First-Line Surgical Treatment in Skeletally Immature Patients Irrespective of Patellar Height and Trochlear Dysplasia

Abstract

Background:

Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction in skeletally immature patients who experience lateral patellar dislocation has been reported to yield good results. Whether bony abnormalities such as patellar height and trochlear dysplasia should be addressed additionally is a topic of discussion.

Purpose:

To evaluate patient-reported outcomes and redislocation rates after isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction as first-line surgical treatment for lateral patellar dislocation in skeletally immature patients. Further, to analyze epidemiological, intraoperative, and radiographical factors influencing redislocation and clinical outcome.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Prospectively collected data were retrospectively analyzed for adolescent patients younger than 16 years who underwent medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction between 2014 and 2018. Inclusion criteria were isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with gracilis tendon and availability of accurate pre- and postoperative radiographs with the presence of open physes. The patients were questioned regarding further surgery, redislocation, and clinical outcomes using the Tegner Activity Scale, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Subjective Knee Form, Lysholm score, and Kujala score. The influence of diverse epidemiological, intraoperative, and radiographical parameters on the redislocation rates and clinical outcome was analyzed.

Results:

A total of 54 medial patellofemoral ligament reconstructions (49 patients) met the inclusion criteria. After 4.3 ± 1.7 years (range, 2.0-7.3 years), 45 reconstructions (83.3%) in 41 patients were available for follow-up. The distribution of trochlear dysplasia was as follows: type A and B, 19 cases (42.2%) each; type C, 6 cases (13.3%); and type D, 1 case (2.2%). Patellar redislocation occurred in 3 patients (6.7%). The mean Tegner, subjective IKDC, Lysholm, and Kujala scores at follow-up were 6.3 ± 1.6 (range, 3-9), 93.6 ± 8.8, 95.9 ± 7.4, and 97.9 ± 7.1, respectively. Patellar height and trochlear dysplasia had no influence on redislocation or clinical scores. The Lysholm score was lower in knees with intraoperative retropatellar chondral lesion grade ≥III versus grade <III (89.0 ± 19.2 vs 96.9 ± 3.6, respectively; P = .023); likewise, the Kujala score was lower in knees that were grade ≥III versus grade <III (90.0 ± 19.7 vs 98.1 ± 2.1, respectively; P = .015).

Conclusion:

Isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction as first-line surgical treatment in skeletally immature patients yields excellent midterm results, irrespective of patellar height and trochlear dysplasia. Redislocation still occurs in a certain number of patients, and a higher degree of retropatellar chondral lesion is a predictor for a worse clinical outcome.