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J Knee Surg 2008; 21(4): 328-332
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1247840
Surgical Technique

© 2008 Thieme Medical Publishers

Combined Medial Patellofemoral Ligament and Medial Patellotibial Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients – Surgical Technique

Gabriel D. Brown, Christopher S. Ahmad
  • The Center of Shoulder, Elbow, and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University Medical Center, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY
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Publication History

Publication Date:
14 January 2010 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Patellar instability is a common knee disorder encountered in young athletes. Patients with normal osseous anatomy and mechanical alignment of the lower extremity are candidates for soft-tissue reconstructive procedures. In skeletally immature patients, surgical techniques that address patellar instability must avoid disruption of open physes and therefore must rely on soft-tissue techniques. Biomechanical research demonstrates that the medial patellofemoral ligament is the primary soft-tissue restraint to lateral subluxation of the patella, and the medial patellotibial ligament is an important secondary stabilizer. We present a novel physeal-sparing surgical technique that anatomically reconstructs both the medial patellofemoral and medial patellotibial ligaments using semitendinosus autograft.

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