Sports medicine and arthroscopy review
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Numerous surgical techniques have been described to address episodic patellar dislocations. Some of them involve the soft tissues whereas others primarily address a bony correction. Four principal anatomic factors have been identified that increase the risk for episodic patellar dislocations: trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, patellar tilt, and an excessive tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance. ⋯ The tibial tuberosity can be transferred distally or medially or more frequently a combination of both. It will realign the extensor mechanism and increase patellofemoral stability. This procedure may be associated with a medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction in case of excessive patellar tilt or rarely with a trochleoplasty for major abnormal patellar maltracking.
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The medial patellofemoral ligament has been recognized as the most important medial structure preventing lateral dislocation or subluxation of the patella. Numerous surgical techniques have been described to reconstruct this important structure in patients with patellofemoral instability. This paper reviews the relevant anatomy and biomechanics, published reconstruction options, and describes the surgical technique used at our institution using semitendinosus autograft to reconstruct the medial patellofemoral ligament.