Modified all-arthroscopic reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of modified all-arthroscopic reconstruction of medial patella femoral ligament (MPFL) for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 38 patients (46 knees) with recurrent patellar dislocation, who were treated at First Affiliated Hospital of Shenzhen University from January 2017 to January 2020. The patients included 12 males (12 knees) and 26 females (34 knees), aged 14-40 years [(24.6±5.4)years]. All patients underwent the modified all-arthroscopic MPFL reconstruction procedure. The femoral tunnel locations were assessed by 3D-CT immediately after surgery. The MRI was performed at 6 and 12 months after operation to assess the healing morphology of the reconstructed MPFL. The Lysholm score and Kujala score were used to assess the knee function before operation, at 6 months after operation, at 12 months after operation and at the last follow-up. The time to return to sports as well as complications were observed.Results:All patients were followed up for 26-48 months [(32.4±8.6)months]. Postoperative 3D-CT examination showed that the femoral tunnels were located in the groove area of the medial epicondyle of the femur and the adductor tubercle. At 6 and 12 months after operation, MRI T2 images showed that the reconstructed MPFL had a low signal and well tensioned ligament tissue, indicating that the MPFL was healed well. The Lysholm scores at 6 and 12 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were (81.1±12.0)points, (91.2±3.8)points, and (92.2±9.8)points, respectively, being significantly higher than the preoperative (52.4±10.6)points (all P<0.01). The Kujala scores at 6 and 12 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up were (85.4±3.9)points, (91.4±3.6)points, and (93.1±8.5)points, respectively, being significantly higher than the preoperative (55.2±6.8)points (all P<0.01). Compared with 6 months postoperatively, the Lysholm score and Kujala score were significantly improved at 12 months postoperatively and at the last follow-up (all P<0.05). All patients returned to sports, with the time to return to sports for 3-12 months [(8.7±2.3)months] after operation. One patient had poor wound healing but was healed after dressing changes. No wound infection, nerve injury, joint stiffness, patella re-dislocation or other complications occurred. Conclusion:For recurrent patellar dislocation, the modified all-arthroscopic MPFL reconstruction has advantages of accurate bone tunnel positioning, good ligament healing, good function recovery, early return to sports, and less postoperative complications.