Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction for recurrent dislocation of the patella: a preliminary report.

Abstract

We present a surgical technique for the treatment of recurring dislocation of the patella. The procedure, based on Galleazzi's tenodesis of the semitendinosus, uses minimal dissection and small incisions to improve cosmetic results and speed recovery. A polyester ligament is passed through a bone tunnel at the midline of the patella and fixed at the medial condyle, thus creating a medial patellofemoral neoligament. We have reviewed the results of 30 knees in 30 patients with an average follow-up of 39 months. Twenty-five patients (83.3%) showed significant improvement of their initial complaints.