ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the short-term results of arthroscopic medial retinaculum placation (MRP) and lateral retinaculum release (LRR) in treatment of patients with traumatic patellar dislocation. Methods 17 cases (6 male, 11 female) with traumatic patellar instability from March 2012 to December 2015, with an average age of 16.8 years old (range from 14 to 37 years old). All of the patients had a clear history of trauma and experienced patellar dislocation for the first time, the patients experienced patellar dislocation 1 to 4 times preoperatively. The arthroscopic examination was undertaken before the repairing to observe the injured site of the medial retinaculum and the patellar track, as well as the dynamic patellofemoral congruence. All patients underwent arthroscopic MRP and LRR minimally invasive procedure. Results All patients were followed up for 9 to 28 months averaging (19.7 ± 1.3) months. The fear test was negative after operation. There was no redislocation during follow-up and their ranges of motion returned to normal. Postoperative CT images showed 15 cases regained normal anatomical relation of patellofemoral joint. 2 cases had mild semi-dislocation. Lysholm's score averaging (51.8 ± 4.5) points preoperatively and (92.4 ± 2.8) points postoperatively. According to Insall scale, the results were excellent in 11 knees, good in 5 knees, and fair in 1 knee at 1 year after operation with an excellent and good rate of 94.1％. Conclusions Arthroscopic MRP and LRR showed satisfactory results with limited morbidity in the short-term follow-up. This method can make the patients smaller wound,quicker recovered and lower recurrence rate.