Operative management

 

Schottle

 

Indications

 

Recurrent disabling patella instability

 

Options

 

MPFL reconstruction 

Tibial tuberosity osteotomy

Trochleoplasty

Derotation osteotomy

 

Results

 

MPFL v MPFL + TTO

 

Vivek et al KSSTA 2023

- systematic review of isolated MPFL v MPFL + TTO

- 31 studies and 1400 patients

- isolated MPFL: mean Kujala 85, redislocation 3%

- MPFL + TTO: mean Kujala score 84, redislocation 3%

 

TTTG > 20

 

Gueval et al OJSM 2023

- systematic review of isolated MPFL v MPFL + TTO with TTG > 20

- 13 studies and 400 knees

- no difference in redislocation rates or complications

- improved Kujala scores with isolated MPFL

 

MPFL reconstruction

 

Indication

 

Mild patella instability

TTTG < 20

 

MPFLMPFL

 

Options

 

MPFL reconstruction

- autograft / allograft

- fixation techniques

- single bundle / Y graft

 

Medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament (MQTFL)

 

Technique

 

MPFLMPFL

 

Patella

- expose medial patella

- identify superior half of patella

- fixate graft with screws / bone anchors

- identify layer between medial retinaculum and capsule

- pass graft superficial to capsule

 

Schottle's Point

- radiographic landmark for isometric insertion point MPFL on femur

- 1 mm anterior posterior cortex

- 2 mm distal to MFC origin

- proximal to Blumensaat's line

 

SchottleSchottle

 

Femur

- dissection down to bone

- protect saphenous nerve

- use xray to find Schottle's point

- aim femoral pin anterior to Blumensaat's line / 30o

- drill for size of graft

- pass graft and fixate with screw

 

MPFLMPFLMPFL

 

Results

 

Schneider et al AJSM 2016

- systematic review of isolated MPFL for recurrent patella instability

- mean postoperative Kujala score 86

- 84% return to sports

- recurrent instability 1%

- positive apprehension sign 4%

- reoperation rate of 3%

 

Complications

 

Anterior femoral tunnel

 

Patella Instability MPFL and TTTMPFL

 

Infection

 

InfectionMPFL

 

Patella fracture

 

FractureFractureFracture

 

 

 

Tibial Tuberosity Osteotomy

 

Indication

 

TTTG > 20 

Severe lateral patella subluxation

 

TTO

 

Technique 

 

Incision midline over tibial tuberosity

- expose tibial tuberosity medial and laterally

- identify and protect patella tendon insertion

- insert K wires to guide osteotomy

- some obliquity to allow antero-medialisation

- osteotomy 1 cm deep, 6 cm long

- consider resection 1 cm to distalise / correct patella alta

- fix with 2 or 3 bicortical 4.5 mm fully threaded screws with lag screw technique

- +/- distal plate over osteotomy to minimize stress fracture risk

 

Tibial Tuberosity Transfer

 

Patella femoral chondral defects

 

Consider cartilage regeneration procedure

- microfracture / MACI / de novo / AMIC

 

www.boneschool.com/knee-cartilage-defects

 

Patella instability cartilage lossPatella AMIC

 

MPFL reconstruction

 

MPFL Reconstruction 1MPFL Reconstruction 2

 

Complications

 

Berk et al Orthop J Sports Med 2023

- review of 344 TTO

- stiffness 16%

- superficial infection 8%

- hemarthrosis 6%

 

Trochleoplasty

 

Indication

 

Trochlea dysplasia

- if after MPFL and TTT the patella still unstable at end of case

 

Techniques

 

1. Dejour Trochleoplasty

- lift up anterior aspect femoral condyles

- deepening of trochlea

- replacement of LFC

- risk of chondral fracture / AVN / non union / displacement

 

Utting et al JBJS Br 2008

- 50/54 92% 

- combined with other procedures as required

 

2.  Elevate lateral edge of lateral femoral condyle

- insert osteotome

- gently elevate without fracturing chondral surface

- insert 2 - 3 mm of iliac crest bone graft

- no need for stabilisation

 

Results

 

Femoral derotation osteotomy

 

Zhang et al KSSTA 2020

- 144 patients treated with MPFL + TTO

- poorer outcome scores with femoral anteversion > 30 degrees

 

Wang et al KSSTA 2024

- systematic review of FDRO + MPFL

- better outcome scores with combined surgery in setting of increased femoral anteversion

- no nonunion

 

Tibial Derotation Osteotomy

 

Indication

- excessive external tibial torsion > 45 degrees

- 1 / 5000 people

 

Tibial Derotation OsteotomyTibial Derotation OsteotomyTibial Derotation Osteotomy Lateral

 

 

 

Results

 

Drexler et al KSSTA 2013

- good outcome for 15/17 knees

 

Skeletally Immature

 

Roux-Goldthwaite

 

Indications

- skeletally immature with malalignment

 

Technique

- lateral half PT rerouted

- under medial PT

- stitched to MCL / sartorius

 

Technique Modification

 

Take medial half patella tendon

- suture to MCL

 

PT transfer + MPFL

- incision midway between PT and MCL

- identify patella tendon

- divide in two

- sharp dissection of medial half off bone

- dissect medially

- divide fascia and retinaculum to expose MCL

- suture to MCL with 2.0 non absorbable sutures

- through same incision can harvest hamstrings for MPFL reconstruction

 

Results

 

Fondren et al JBJS Am 1985

- 43/47 G/E results