A simple technique for reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament with bone-fascia tunnel fixation at the medial margin of the patella: a 6-year-minimum follow-up study

BACKGROUND Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction has become an accepted technique to treat patellofemoral instability, and numerous surgical techniques have been described to reconstruct the MPFL. We describe a MPFL reconstruction procedure where bone-fascia tunnel fixation occurs at the medial margin of the patella for recurrent patellar dislocation. OBJECTIVE MPFL reconstruction is the preferred operative treatment for recurrent patellar dislocation. The purpose of this study was to report a simple technique for reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament with bone-fascia tunnel fixation at the medial margin of the patella for recurrent patellar dislocation and to evaluate the results at 6-year-minimum follow-up. METHODS The study included 65 patients (28 males, 37 females; mean age, 29.4 ± 5.6 years) who underwent MPFL reconstruction using the bone-fascia tunnel fixation at the medial margin of the patella technique and who were followed for a mean duration of 78.5 ± 3.8 months. Objective assessment, Kujala scale, Lysholm score, and Tegner activity score were obtained preoperatively and at the time of final follow-up. RESULTS There were no patellar complications, including redislocation, in the present study. The congruence angle had significant improvement from 19.2° ± 6.3° before surgery to -6.03° ± 0.50° at the last follow-up. The lateral patellar angle had significant improvement from -6.9° ± 3.5° before surgery to 5.1° ± 2.4° at the last follow-up. The patellar tilt angle had significant improvement from 24.5° ± 5.2° before surgery to 12.30° ± 1.90° at the last follow-up. The Kujala score was significantly increased from 52.9 ± 3.2 points preoperatively to 90.1 ± 5.8 points postoperatively (P < 0.05). The mean Lysholm score was significantly increased from 47.2 ± 5.2 to 92.5 ± 6.2 points postoperatively (P < 0.05). The Tegner activity score improved overall from 3.1 ± 0.6 points to 5.8 ± 0.9 points at follow-up. CONCLUSION We have done a simple technique where the MPFL is reconstructed safely to avoid patella fracture, anatomically to restore physiological kinematics and stability, and economically to reduce costs with bone-fascia tunnel fixation at the medial margin of the patella.