Abstract
Many surgical methods are used for treating malaligned patella after patellar dislocation,
but one surgical method may not be appropriate for all patients. The purpose of this
study was to determine the radiographic and subjective outcomes of patients who underwent
imbrication of redundant medial structures. A total of 42 patients met the inclusion
criteria of suffering a traumatic, unilateral patellar dislocation and had no J-sign,
no patella alta, asymmetry on Merchant view radiograph with normal patella alignment
on the noninvolved side, and MRI showing injury to the medial retinaculum. Patients
were prospectively evaluated. A total of 38 patients (mean age 19.2 years) completed
follow-up evaluations at a mean of 31.7 months postoperatively. Mean congruence angle
improved from 19.7° preoperatively to 5.4° postoperatively (p < 0.001) and was not statistically significantly different than the noninvolved knee
of 4.1 (p = 0.5194). The mean linear displacement measurement improved from 6.0 mm preoperatively
to 1.6 mm postoperatively (p < 0.001) and was not statistically significantly different than the noninvolved knee
of 1.4 mm (p = 0.6294). Total 33 of 38 patients (87%) returned to their preinjury activity level
including sports. Three patients had recurrence of patellar dislocation after surgery
while playing sports. For patients who have the specific indications for imbrication
of the medial retinaculum, surgery can be successful for re-establishing normal patellofemoral
alignment and restoring function.
Keywords
patella dislocation - medial retinaculum - medial patellofemoral ligament - medial
imbrication
