Immediate Surgical Repair of the Medial Patellar Stabilizers for Acute Patellar Dislocation

Abstract

An open surgical repair of the injured medial patellar stabilizers, including the vastus medialis obliquus muscle and the medial patellofemoral ligament, after acute patellar dislocation was studied in eight patients. At initial examination, all patients had tenderness over the adductor tubercle and a positive patellar apprehension sign. Four of eight patients had obvious ecchymosis over the adductor tubercle. Magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic arthroscopy, and open surgical exploration documented injury to both the medial patellofemoral ligament and the origin of the vastus medialis obliquus muscle. In all patients, the torn muscle was retracted in an anterior and superior direction and an arthroscopic lateral release was performed followed by open primary repair of the medial patellofemoral ligament to the adductor tubercle and repair of the vastus medialis obliquus muscle to the adductor magnus tendon. Patients were evaluated postoperatively with the Kujala scoring questionnaire. The average follow-up was 3.0 years, with a minimum of 1.5 years. No patients experienced a recurrent dislocation. The average Kujala score was 91.9. Patients rated their return to athletic activity at an average 86% of their pre-injury level. The average subjective satisfaction was 96%. In appropriate cases of acute patellar dislocation, we recommend primary repair of the medial patellofemoral ligament and the vastus medialis obliquus muscle to avoid recurrent dislocation, chronic subluxation, pain, and disability.