Patellar band for patellofemoral disorders: results and indications.

In patellofemoral disorders, some cases respond well to conservative management thus the authors' initial treatment is conservative. The Patellar Band (PB) was reported previously (Nakamura et al., 1987). Since then the indications for the band have been investigated. Sixty four patients treated by the PB without operative treatment were classified into eight groups. The Severity of Dysfunction (SOD) was assessed by three grades. The First Grade is dull pain after walking or running for a long distance, the Second Grade is sharp pain on climbing up and down stairs, the Third Grade is a feeling of insecurity. The grouping was as follows: Group Ia - plica syndrome with first Grade of SOD and Ib with Second Grade of SOD. Group IIa - chondromalacia with First Grade of SOD and IIb with Second Grade of SOD. Group III - maltracking patella with patellar pain on flexion. Group IVa - subluxation or dislocation of patella with no previous history of patellar symptom and IVb - recurrent dislocation. Group V - degenerative change of the patella. The PB has been proved to be most effective in Groups Ia, IIa and IVb although it is beneficial in half the cases in Groups IIb and III. The subluxation of the patella was partially reduced without recurrence of dislocation during sports activity and the feeling of insecurity was relieved by the PB. The overall results were not related to age or activity level of the patient. The indication of the band for painful knees was not clearly determined in this study. In all operated cases, it was effective for postoperative instability after lateral release of the retinaculum.