Trochleoplasty, Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction, and Open Lateral Lengthening for Patellar Instability in the Setting of High-Grade Trochlear Dysplasia

Trochlear dysplasia is the most commonly encountered pathoanatomy in patients who present with patellar instability. Outcomes of trochleoplasty procedures have shown low rates of recurrent instability and high patient-reported outcome scores. This article describes a “thin-flap” groove-deepening trochleoplasty combined with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with a gracilis allograft and lateral retinacular lengthening to treat recurrent patellar instability due to high-grade trochlear dysplasia. This technique can obviate tibial tubercle osteotomy by normalizing the position of the trochlear groove and, subsequently, decreasing the tibial tubercle–to–trochlear groove distance.