Thick-osteochondral Flap Deepening Trochleoplasty for Patellar Instability

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: In patients with patellar instability and severe trochlear dysplasia, trochleoplasty has become increasingly used as part of the surgical management. The aim to report the mid-term results of this trochleoplasty including the sports and exercise activities of the cohort. Our hypothesis was that the operation would improve knee function and lead to an increase in sports participation in the patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1995 and 2010 the thick-flap deepening trochleoplasty was performed in 90 patients (107 knees) with severe trochlear dysplasia. Data was collected prospectively pre-operatively, at 6 weeks and 1-year follow-up. A standard pre-operative clinical assessment that included assessment of patellar apprehension , patellar tracking and patellofemoral crepitus. Post-operative outcome scores were performed by postal questionnaire and collected between June and December 2013, to determine the clinical and functional outcomes, including sports and exercise participation at a minimum of 2 years, with complete data available in 92%. RESULTS: With a minimum follow-up of 2 years, average of 6 years (range 2 to 19 years). The Kujala score had a median and interquartile range (IQR) of 63 (47-75) pre-operatively rising to 79 (68-91) at 1 year follow-up and 84 (73-92) at final follow-up (p< 0.05). Seventy-two per cent were satisfied with their knee function at 1 year follow-up rising to 79% at final follow-up (p <0.0001). Sports and exercise participation increased from 36 patients (40%) pre-operatively to 60 (67%) at final follow-up. The numbers involved in competitions increased slightly from 10 (11%) to 11 (12%). Of those sports that involved twisting (e.g. soccer, cricket, badminton), participation increased from 16 (18%) to 22 (24%), whereas non-twisting sports (e.g. running, swimming, cycling) increased from 24 (27%) to 47 (52%) of whom 14 (16%) used walking as exercise. CONCLUSION: The thick-flap deepening trochleoplasty improves the clinical and functional outcomes for patients with symptomatic patellar instability with severe trochlear dysplasia. These results improve over time and beyond the 1 year clinical follow-up. However trochleoplasty does not lead to a significant improvement in sports participation at a competitive level. It does improve the sports and exercise patient participation, principally in non-twisting sports activities.