Chronic patellofemoral instability and pain treated effectively by anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer (Fulkerson osteotomy) with or without medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction

<p><strong>Background</strong>-Chronic patellar instability (subluxation and dislocation) and pain is a debilitating knee condition that frequently involves young, active patients. Bony malalignment and soft tissue injury (torn or stretched MPFL) is considered as a surgical indication for distal realignment in the form of Anteromedial tibial tubercle transfer(Fulkerson osteotomy) with or without MPFL reconstruction that effectively prevents the patella from tracking laterally and thus unloads the lateral patella while making the patellofemoral joint more congruous , stable and pain free.</p><p><strong>Materials and method</strong> - It is a prospective study of 22 patients of chronic patellar instability and pain. Follow up ranged from 24 to 36(average 30) months. Preoperative assessment included clinical examination, Lysholm, IKDC score and Radiological examination (X-ray, CT scan and MRI). 18 patients with history of dislocation and pain having bony malalignment and torn MPFL were treated with Fulkerson osteotomy and MPFL reconstruction and 4 patients with history of subluxation and pain having bony malalignment only were treated with Fulkerson osteotomy alone. Patients were followed up with the help of X-rays at regular interval and the clinical outcome was measured using scoring system.</p><p><strong> </strong><strong>Results</strong>-There was a significant improvement in postoperative assessment with regards to scoring system (Lysholm and IKDC) and knee pain. Union at osteotomy site for all patients was seen. None of the patients had further episode of dislocation or subluxation. Pain at femoral site of MPFL reconstruction in 2 cases persisted for 3 months followed by resolution of their symptoms. One of our patients had profuse swelling at the site of operation postoperatively which was treated with Rest, Ice Pack, Compression and Limb elevation. Out of 22 patients undertaken infection at osteotomy site was seen in 1 patient for which implant removal was done from osteotomy site after union.</p><p> <strong>Conclusion</strong>-Anteromedial Tibial tuberosity osteotomy and MPFL reconstruction is a successful procedure to treat patellofemoral pain and instability.</p>

Good Operative Effects of Patellofemoral Arthroplasty Combined With the Tibial Tubercle Transfer for Isolated Patellofemoral Arthritis Patients With an Increased Tibial Tuberosity-trochlear Groove Distance

Purpose: The objective of present study was to investigate the operative effect of patellofemoral arthroplasty combined with the tibial tubercle transfer for isolated patellofemoral arthritis patients with an increased tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (>20mm).Methods: A prospective study was performed between November 2012 and December 2017. Finally, thirty-six cases, with a mean age of 61.1 ± 7.3 years, were admitted to our study. A total of 17 patients underwent patellofemoral arthroplasty combined with tibial tubercle transfer, and 19 patients underwent patellofemoral arthroplasty only. All eligible patients had CT scans preoperatively and at 12 months follow-up, to assess the stability of the patellofemoral joint on axial slices. In addition, the demographic and clinical features of all the patients were asked. Knee balance was assessed with the single leg stance test and timed get up and go, and functionality was evaluated with stair climbing test and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score. (P>0.05)Results: Preoperatively, the data regarding the knee balance and functionality were not significantly different between the two Groups (P>0.05). Many measurements showed significant differences between the two groups at the last follow-up. Significant differences were seen in well-known measurements such as the SLST (Group I, 28.9 s (SD 7.5); Group II, 20.3 s (SD 5.9); p < 0.001), TGUG (Group I, 13.4 s (SD 3.2); Group II, 16.8 s (SD 3.1); p < 0.001), and SCT (Group I, 18.6 s (SD 6.8); Group II, 24.5 s (SD 8.7); p < 0.001). Additionally, the median WOMAC score was improved from 62.7 (SD 11.2) preoperatively to 25.7 (SD 8.2) one year postoperatively in Group I and from 64.1 (SD 10.7) to 36.2 (SD 9.7) in Group II, which were also significantly different between the groups.Conclusion: For such special IPA patients with an increased TT-TG (>20mm), the combined operation of PFA combined with TTT can better restore the involutional relationship of patellofemoral joint and further improve the balance and function of knee joint.

Good Operative Effects of Patellofemoral Arthroplasty Combined With the Tibial Tubercle Transfer for Isolated Patellofemoral Arthritis Patients With an Increased Tibial Tuberosity-Trochlear Groove Distance

BackgroundThe objective of present study was to investigate the operative effect of patellofemoral arthroplasty combined with the tibial tubercle transfer for isolated patellofemoral arthritis patients with an increased tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance (>20mm). MethodsA prospective study was performed between November 2012 and December 2017. Finally, thirty-six cases, with a mean age of 61.1 ± 7.3 years, were admitted to our study. A total of 17 patients underwent patellofemoral arthroplasty combined with tibial tubercle transfer, and 19 patients underwent patellofemoral arthroplasty only. All eligible patients had CT scans preoperatively and at 12 months follow-up, to assess the stability of the patellofemoral joint on axial slices. In addition, the demographic and clinical features of all the patients were asked. Knee balance was assessed with the single leg stance test and timed get up and go, and functionality was evaluated with stair climbing test and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index score. (P>0.05) ResultsPreoperatively, the data regarding the knee balance and functionality were not significantly different between the two Groups (P>0.05). Many measurements showed significant differences between the two groups at the last follow-up. Significant differences were seen in well-known measurements such as the SLST (Group I, 28.9 s (SD 7.5); Group II, 20.3 s (SD 5.9); p < 0.001), TGUG (Group I, 13.4 s (SD 3.2); Group II, 16.8 s (SD 3.1); p < 0.001), and SCT (Group I, 18.6 s (SD 6.8); Group II, 24.5 s (SD 8.7); p < 0.001). Additionally, the median WOMAC score was improved from 62.7 (SD 11.2) preoperatively to 25.7 (SD 8.2) one year postoperatively in Group I and from 64.1 (SD 10.7) to 36.2 (SD 9.7) in Group II, which were also significantly different between the groups. ConclusionsFor such special IPA patients with an increased TT-TG (>20mm), the combined operation of PFA combined with TTT can better restore the involutional relationship of patellofemoral joint and further improve the balance and function of knee joint.

Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction With or Without Derotational Distal Femoral Osteotomy in Treating Recurrent Patellar Dislocation With Increased Femoral Anteversion: A Retrospective Comparative Study

Background: Controversy exists regarding the surgical treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD) with an increased femoral anteversion angle (FAA). Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFL-R) either alone or combined with derotational distal femoral osteotomy (DDFO) results in favorable clinical outcomes. Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes of MPFL-R versus MPFL-R with DDFO in treating RPD with increased FAA (>30°). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Between January 2014 and December 2017, 126 patients (135 knees) with RPD and increased FAA (>30°) were surgically treated using MPFL-R with or without DDFO and eligible for this retrospective study. These patients were allocated into 2 groups based on whether an additional DDFO was performed: the DDFO group (MPFL-R + DDFO with or without tibial tubercle transfer; n = 66) and the control group (MPFL-R with or without tibial tubercle transfer; n = 69). Pre- and postoperative patellar stability was measured using stress radiography. Patellar maltracking (J-sign) and patient-reported outcomes (Kujala, International Knee Documentation Committee, Lysholm, and Tegner scores) were evaluated and compared between the 2 groups. Subgroup analysis was performed by stratifying the results in terms of the severity of preoperative patellar maltracking (low-grade vs high-grade J-sign). Results: A total of 135 knees (126 patients) with a mean follow-up time of 3.7 ± 1.2 years were evaluated in the present study. The rates of postoperative MPFL residual graft laxity and residual J-sign were significantly lower in the DDFO group than in the control group (6% vs 19%, P = .028; 33% vs 54%, P = .018). The DDFO group had significantly higher Kujala (82.3 vs 76.7; P = .001) and Lysholm (83.7 vs 77.7; P = .034) scores than the control group had postoperatively. For patients with a preoperative high-grade J-sign, further subgroup analysis demonstrated that the DDFO group had a significantly lower rate of MPFL residual graft laxity than the control group had (18% vs 57%; P = .029). Conclusion: In this retrospective study, treatment of RPD with increased femoral anteversion using MPFL-R with DDFO yielded more favorable subjective and objective outcomes than did MPFL-R without DDFO, and this circumstance was more remarkable when the patients had a preoperative high-grade J-sign.

Current Concepts Regarding Patellofemoral Trochlear Dysplasia

Optimal treatment of patients with patellofemoral trochlear dysplasia and recurrent patellar instability requires in-depth understanding of this complex structural anomaly. An extensive review of the literature suggests that dysplasia occurs as a result of aberrant forces applied to the patellofemoral joint in the majority of cases. Evidence supports surgical stabilization that reconstructs the medial patellofemoral and/or medial quadriceps tendon–femoral ligament without added trochleoplasty in the majority of patients with trochlear dysplasia and recurrent patellar instability. Adding tibial tubercle transfer distally, medially, or anteromedially in those who need it to treat specific deficits in alignment or articular cartilage can be beneficial in selected patients with trochlear dysplasia and recurrent patellar instability. Trochleoplasty may be appropriate in those few cases in which permanent stable patellofemoral tracking cannot be restored otherwise, but the indications are not yet clear, particularly as trochleoplasty adds risk to the articular cartilage. Improved understanding of imaging techniques and 3-dimensional reproductions of dysplastic patellofemoral joints are useful in surgical planning for patients with recurrent patellar instability and trochlear dysplasia.

Review of Trillat, Dejour and Couette on ‘Diagnosis and treatment of recurrent dislocations of the patella’

‘Numerous operations have been described for correction of recurrent dislocation of the patella. The number in itself predicates that the problem has not been solved’.This classic discusses the original publication ‘Diagnosis and treatment of recurrent dislocations of the patella’ from Trillat A, Dejour H, Couette A. Published in 1964 at the Revue de Chirurgie Orthopedique et Reparatrice de L'appareil Moteur, where the authors described a surgical procedure modifying Elmslie’s original surgery for patients with objective patellar dislocations and also for patients with anterior knee pain who had the sign of the ‘baïonnette’. Medialisation of the anterior tibial tubercle (ATT) has been known worldwide as the Elmslie-Trillat procedure, but the history of procedure has its roots going back to 1888. The history of the publications of the Elmslie-Trillat technique is really something special. César Roux published in 1888 the original technique that is similar to Elmislie’s procedure. In 1944 in London, Trillat met Selddon and became aware about Elmslie’s procedure for the ATT medialisation. Back to France, Trillat published and named it as the Elmslie’s technique. Later, after the ‘Journées du Genou’, the technique was disseminated as ‘The Elmslie-Trillat’ procedure. Nowadays, isolated ATT medialisation, the ‘true’ Elmslie-Trillat operation, is still occasionally performed. Too few surgeons use these elegant operations largely because the details of the techniques are not taught routinely. This classic section has the objective to encourage young surgeons to learn tibial tubercle transfer operations and the benefits they bring to patients when performed for proper indications.