Clinical Results of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction

Abstract

Objective: To assess clinical results of patients who underwent medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction after a minimum of two years of follow-up. Methods: Patients’ medical records were assessed for residual instability, patient satisfaction, and post-operative functional outcomes. Results: Fifty-one patients were analyzed, out of which 56.87% were women. Patients’ mean age was 30.8 years (16 to 57 years). The mean follow-up time was 68.7 months (37 to 120 months). Length between first dislocation and surgery was less than 1 year for 58.82% of patients, between 1 and 5 years for 37.25%, and over 5 years for 3.93%. Patients showed a high degree of satisfaction (96.08% would undergo surgery again), with recurrence rate of 11.76%. Twenty-two patients reported knee symptoms, including pain from movements (72.72%), weakness (18.18%), constant pain (13.63%), and crepitus (4.54%). Considering dissatisfied patients, patients with dislocation recurrence, and patients with symptoms, five cannot practice physical activity, out of which only three blame their knee. Conclusion: MPFL reconstruction showed a recurrence rate of 11.7%, with high patient satisfaction, good functional results, and high rate of return to sports, after a minimum of two years of follow-up. Level of Evidence IV, Case Series.

Clinical Insights into the Treatment of Patellofemoral Instability with Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction: Pearls and Pitfalls—Lessons Learned from 20 Years

“…Isolated MPFL reconstruction has shown reasonable patient satisfaction, reduced pain scores, and a successful return to sports on average, provided that patient selection and indications are carefully considered [ 38 ]. In carefully selected patients undergoing isolated MPFL reconstruction, the rate of recurrent instability is low, with an approximate risk of 1.9% [ 35 ].…”