Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction: a new technique for graft fixation at the patella without implants.

Abstract

Patellofemoral instability is a complex disorder that is often accompanied by insufficiency or tearing of the medial patellofemoral ligament. Over the past few years, several techniques using free tendon grafts for medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction have become popular because of their reproducible effect and good outcome. Whereas most surgeons prefer femoral fixation of the graft using an interference screw, the possibilities of patellar fixation are numerous. All of the different techniques have their own advantages and pitfalls. We describe a technique in which we drill 2 blind-ending tunnels (1 cm) at the medial aspect of the patella, where the doubled graft (not the free ends) is pulled in and fixed. By using a special technique for shuttling the sutures, there is no need for an additional skin incision and no need for implants, allowing very secure graft fixation without a relevant risk of fracture.