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.