Surgical treatment is better than non-surgical treatment for primary patellar dislocation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Adductor Canal Block Combined with General Analgesia for Patients with Recurrent Patellar Dislocation Undergoing "3-in-1" Procedure Surgery: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

Patellar dislocation is a common injury in sports medicine. While surgical treatment is an important option, pain is severe after surgery. This study compared the analgesic effect and early rehabilitation quality between adductor canal block combined with general analgesia (ACB + GA) and single general analgesia (SGA) after recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD) for "3-in-1" procedure surgery.

METHODS

From July 2018 to January 2020, a prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted in analgesia management after RPD for "3-in-1" procedure surgery. The 40 patients in the experimental group received ACB (0.3% ropivacaine 30 mL) + GA, while the 38 patients in the control group received SGA. Patients in both groups received "3-in-1" procedure surgery, standardized anesthesia, and analgesia during hospitalization. The outcomes included the visual analog scale (VAS), quadriceps strength, Inpatient Satisfaction Questionnaire (IPSQ), Lysholm scores, and Kujala scores. Total rescue analgesic consumption and adverse events were also recorded. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare continuous variables between groups and chi-square or Fisher's exact tests were used to compare count data. Nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis H tests evaluated ranked data.

RESULTS

No significant differences in resting VAS scores were observed at 8, 12, and 24 h postoperatively. However, the flexion and moving VAS scores of the ACB + GA group were significantly lower than those of the SGA group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the first triggering of rescue analgesics was advanced in the SGA group (p < 0.0001), and the dose of opioid analgesics was significantly higher (p < 0.0001). The quadriceps strength of the ACB + GA group was higher than that of the SGA group at 8 h postoperatively. The IPSQ of the ACB + GA group was significantly higher 24 h postoperatively. We observed no significant differences in Lysholm and Kujala scores between the two groups at 3 months after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Early analgesia management of ACB + GA showed excellent analgesia effectiveness and a positive hospitalization experience for RPD patients undergoing "3-in-1" procedure surgery. Moreover, this management was good for early rehabilitation.

Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction is Preferred to Repair or Reefing for First-Time Patellar Dislocation: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic review aimed to investigate the clinical outcome of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, MPFL repair and medial reefing for patients with first-time patellar dislocation.

Methods

Databases of PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and Web of Science were searched up to May 8, 2022. Only articles treating first-time patellar dislocation with MPFL reconstruction, MPFL repair and medial reefing were included in the analysis. Eligible identification, data extraction, quality assessment and statistical analysis were performed by two independent reviewers. The primary outcome measures were the incidences of postoperatively redislocation and reoperation. The second outcomes were the Kujala functional score and complications (including infection, osteoarthritis, and loss of range of motion).

Results

Twenty-two studies involving 668 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of which, four studies involving 126 patients were in MPFL reconstruction group, ten studies involving 220 patients in MPFL repair group and 9 studies involving 322 patients in medial reefing group. Our results showed that the MPFL reconstruction (1.8%, 95% CI - 0.5 to 4.0%) had a significantly lower rate of postoperative redislocation and reoperation rate than the MPFL repair (15.4%, 95% CI 5.2-25.7%) and medial reefing (18.0%, 95% CI 9.3-26.7%). Besides, no significant differences were found in the Kujala score and complication rate among the three treatments.

Conclusion

The available evidence demonstrated that MPFL reconstruction could achieve significantly lower redislocation rate and reoperation rate than MPFL repair and medial reefing after first-time patella dislocation. Furthermore, there was not enough evidence to reveal that MPFL reconstruction provided better functional outcome compared with MPFL repair and medial reefing. MPFL reconstruction is a preferred surgical treatment for patients with first-time patellar dislocation.

Level of Evidence

Level IV, systematic review of Level I-IV.

Management of the first episode of traumatic patellar dislocation: an international survey

PURPOSE

This international survey aimed to evaluate the potential controversies regarding the management of first patellar dislocation amongst experienced knee surgeries in the treatment of the first episode of patellar dislocation without osteochondral fragments.

METHODS

An online survey was conducted from February 2021 to December 2021 to assess the global trend in the diagnosis and management of first-time patellar dislocation without osteochondral fragments. The online survey was accessible on the homepage of the website of the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery and Arthroscopy (ESSKA). The questionnaire consisted of multiple-choice questions and was divided into three sections. The first section consisted of eight questions regarding demographic information, professional activity, and responder experience. The second section consisted of 13 questions regarding the approach to a first patellar dislocation (clinical examination, imaging, and rehabilitation). The third section contained 2 questions concerning the relevance of patient characteristics to the therapeutic algorithm (age, sports, and pathoanatomical predisposing risk factors).

RESULTS

A total of 438 orthopaedic surgeons worldwide completed the questionnaire. At the first approach to diagnose a first-time patellar dislocation, 251 (57%) of the surgeons requested plain radiographs, and 158 (36%) requested magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In conservatively treated patients, 368 (84%) of the respondents recommended the use of a knee brace. Amongst them, 14 (3%) advocated its use for one week, 75 (17%) for two weeks, 123 (28%) for three weeks, 105 (24%) for four weeks, and 97 (22%) for six weeks. In conservatively treated patients, 215 (49%) of the surgeons recommended load to tolerance, 148 (34%) recommended 30% to 60% of the bodyweight, and 75 (17%) advised against weight-bearing. More than half of the surgeons considered a patient aged less than 35 years practising contact sports to be a candidate for the medial patello-femoral ligament (MPFL) procedure. In addition, a tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove distance (TT-TG) distance of 15 to > 20 mm (for > 75% of the surgeons) and a trochlea types C and D (for > 70% of the surgeons) were considered possible indications for direct surgical management.

CONCLUSION

At the first approach to diagnose a first-time patellar dislocation, plain radiographs and MRI should be performed. In conservatively treated patients, most of the surgeons recommend weight-bearing to tolerance and a knee brace during the first four weeks, with range of motion of full extension to 30° during the first 15 days and up to 60° for an additional 15 days. Surgical management should be performed in patients in the second and third decades of life practising contact sports and in those patients who present types C and D trochlea dysplasia and patella alta.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament with nonresorbable suture tape normalizes patellar maltracking independent of patella-side fixation technique

PURPOSE

Patellar maltracking caused by a rupture of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) can be improved by MPFL reconstruction (MPFL-R) with a tendon graft. Nonresorbable suture tape (FiberTape^®, FT) is possibly becoming an option to tendon grafts for MPFL-R. Patella-side fixation of FT can be performed with suture anchors or via soft-tissue fixation. The aim of this study was to investigate patellar tracking considering soft-tissue-based and anchor-based patella-side fixation techniques.

METHODS

In eight fresh-frozen human knee joint specimens (m/f 4/4; age 75 ± 10 years), the MPFL was identified, and a rupture was placed near the femoral insertion site. In the study group (SG; 4 knees), soft-tissue fixation of the FT was performed at the medial patellar retinaculum; in the control group (CG; 4 knees), FT was fixed at the patella via suture anchors. For native MPFL (nMPFL), ruptured ("injured") MPFL (iMPFL) and reconstructed MPFL (FT-MPFL-SG, respectively, FT-MPFL-CG) cone beam CT scans were performed in 15°, 30°, and 45° of knee joint flexion. Patellar tracking was assessed using the radiological parameters patellar tilt (PT), congruence angle (CA) and posterior patellar edge-trochlear groove ratio (PTR).

RESULTS

All recorded radiological parameters increased, respectively, decreased in the CG and SG from the nMPFL to the iMPFL state. After MPFL-R, all parameters normalized when compared to the intact state (nMPFL), regardless of patella-side fixation technique. All investigated parameters of patellotrochlear alignment were positively, respectively, negatively significantly (p < 0.05) correlated throughout all evaluated conditions (nMPFL, iMPFL, FT-MPFL-SG, FT-MPFL-CG).

CONCLUSION

MPFL-R with a nonresorbable suture tape can normalize patellar maltracking in fresh-frozen human knee joint specimens in earlier degrees of knee joint flexion independent of patella-side fixation technique. The investigated parameters of patellotrochlear alignment correlate with each other.

Differences in Outcomes between Patellar Dislocations Managed in Emergent versus Non-Emergent Care Settings

Patellar dislocations occur at a much higher rate in military than civilian populations. Past population-level studies have shown that surgical management is as good as or superior to conservative care and may reduce future reoccurrences. Although in acute cases and in civilian clinics, patellar dislocations are usually managed first in an emergent care setting, previous work suggests this can lead to increased costs. This study compared differences in downstream care type and intensity of services based on whether initial care occurred in emergent or non-emergent care settings. In our sample of 1,523 Military Health System (MHS) beneficiaries with patellar dislocation and 2-year follow-up, we found non-significant differences in costs, intensity of services, and rates of surgical repair regardless of whether the patient was initially seen in an emergent versus non-emergent care setting. Although we found significant increases in the use of imaging, patellar dislocation-related medical visits, and frequency of closed treatment approaches in emergent care settings, these values were very small and likely not clinically significant. These findings, which included all the patellar dislocations reported across the entire MHS in a 24-month period, suggest that neither emergent nor non-emergent care settings are likely to influence the long-term care received by the individual.

Lateral Patellar Dislocation: A Critical Review and Update of Evidence-Based Rehabilitation Practice Guidelines and Expected Outcomes

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Nonoperative treatment of a lateral patellar dislocation produces favorable functional results, but as high as 35% of individuals experience recurrent dislocations.

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Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction is an effective treatment to prevent recurrent dislocations and yield excellent outcomes with a high rate of return to sport.

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Both nonoperative and postoperative rehabilitation should center on resolving pain and edema, restoring motion, and incorporating isolated and multijoint progressive strengthening exercises targeting the hip and knee.

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Prior to return to sports, both functional and isolated knee strength measurements should be used to determine leg symmetry strength and to utilize patient-reported outcome measures to assess the patient's perceived physical abilities and patellofemoral joint stability.

Clinical outcomes of medial retinaculum plasty versus MPFL reconstruction with concomitant tibial tubercle transfer: a retrospective study

PURPOSE

To elucidate the clinical outcomes of medial retinaculum plasty versus MPFL reconstruction with concomitant tibial tubercle transfer.

METHODS

From January 2014 to July 2018, 57 patients who underwent tibial tubercle transfer combined with medial retinaculum plasty or MPFL reconstruction were enrolled in the present study. The 57 patients were divided into two comparison groups according to the therapeutic protocol. The 25 patients in group I underwent the medial retinaculum plasty and tibial tubercle transfer. The 32 patients in group II underwent the MPFL reconstruction and tibial tubercle transfer. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score, Kujala score, congruence angle, patellar tilt angle, patellar lateral shift, tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance and Caton-Deschamps Index. The clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups preoperatively and at the time of the last follow-up.

RESULTS

Significant improvement was seen in both groups postoperatively (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score, Kujala score, congruence angle, patellar tilt angle, patellar lateral shift, tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove distance and Caton-Deschamps Index between the two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The combined medial retinaculum plasty and tibial tubercle transfer achieved similar clinical outcomes versus the MPFL reconstruction with concomitant TTT. This therapeutic protocol was a good option in treatment of patellar dislocation with increased TT-TG distance or patella alta.