Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Using Pedicled Quadriceps Tendon Autograft Yields Similar Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes but Less Donor-Site Morbidity Compared With Gracilis Tendon Autograft

Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using synthetic suture tape: A systematic review of biomechanical and clinical outcomes

Purpose

To review outcomes of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) using synthetic suture tape in biomechanical and clinical studies.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search was performed in three databases. Studies reporting biomechanical and/or clinical outcomes of MPFLR using synthetic suture tape were included. For clinical studies, the primary outcome measures included patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and adverse events.

Results

Three biomechanical studies were included. One study reported stronger integrity of fixation with suture tape versus semitendinosus autografts. One study reported similar integrity of MPFLR with knotless anchor versus soft tissue fixation. Another study found suture tape fixation between 60° and 90° of knee flexion to avoid excessive medial patellofemoral joint contact pressure after MPFLR. Eight clinical studies with 287 patients and 317 knees (36.1 % male, pooled mean age: 23.2 years old, pooled mean follow-up: 41.6 months) were included. All studies reported significant preoperative to postoperative improvement for all PROs except for the Tegner score in one study. The range of PROs were as follows (preoperative and postoperative): Lysholm (32.8-72.0 and 78.0 to 96.7), Kujala (36.0-75.2 and 78.8 to 97.7), International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) (48.6-69.8 and 71.3 to 91.3), and Tegner (1.0-4.6 and 4.0 to 6.5). Two studies comparing suture tape with autografts (quadriceps and gracillis tendons) reported similar postoperative PROs. The pooled rate of adverse postoperative events was 8.2 %. The pooled rate of positive patellar apprehension tests at follow-up was 3.2 %.

Conclusions

Patients undergoing MPFLR with suture tape fixation achieved significant improvements in PROs and demonstrated low rates of postoperative complications. Compared to autograft fixation, suture tape fixation provided comparable or superior clinical and biomechanical outcomes.

Predicting two-year return-to-sport failure after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction in patellar dislocation patients with bone abnormalities

PURPOSE

To develop a comprehensive and validated personalized scoring system based on anatomical characteristics to predict the probability of failure to return to sport after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction in patients with patellar dislocation.

METHODS

312 patients with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction in our hospital from 2013 to 2023 were included. Demographic and anatomical characteristics were collected retrospectively. A backward stepwise approach was used to identify independent predictors, and a nomogram was constructed to predict the probability of recurrence. The predictive performance was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves, calibration diagram and decision curve analysis.

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed that increased tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, trochlear dysplasia, increased femoral anteversion angle, and patellar alta were independent risk factors for failure of return to sport after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. Validation of this column graph in the training cohort and validation cohort showed strong predictive power, with areas under the curve of 0.850 and 0.844, respectively. The nomogram has good calibration and good clinical practicability.

CONCLUSION

The study developed a personalized predictive nomogram with 4 predictors (increased TT-TG distance, trochlear dysplasia, increased femoral anteversion angle, and patellar alta) that allowed surgeons to stratify the risk of failure to return to sport after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and recommend skeletal surgery for patients with these factors.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III.

Minipatellar Tunnels for Transosseous Fixation of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Graft Using High-strength Suture

Patellar dislocation is a common knee injury, with concomitant pathoanatomical risk factors that synergistically interact and predispose to patellofemoral instability. Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction has demonstrated significant potential in the re-establishment of MPFL anatomic and biological function, with low patellar redislocation rates. Although many techniques for MPFL reconstruction have been developed, challenges such as patella fractures and high costs persist. Herein, to further reduce bone defects and ensure the reliability of fixation, we developed a microbone tracts technique for MPFL reconstruction on the patella side using high-strength sutures. This technique passes high-strength sutures through the microtransosseous tunnels to fix the tendon graft on the patella side, aiming to achieve minimized patella damage with no additional implants for graft fixation, while resuturing the fascia on the surface of the patella with the suture ends further strengthens the graft fixation. This technique provides an economic and reliable solution for graft fixation on the patella with minimal bone disruption.

Minimal invasive medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction using quadriceps tendon with de novo technique and arthroscopic guided: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Medial Patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, the primary procedure for restoring patellar stability and preventing further dislocation, has seen numerous methods and grafts. However, a consensus on the technique and graft remains elusive. This study introduces a novel approach to MPFL reconstruction, utilizing a unique combination of minimal invasiveness, de novo method, and arthroscopic guidance to harvest a quadriceps tendon (QT) graft without the need for a harvesting tool.

CASE ILLUSTRATION

A 37-year-old female presented to the emergency room with the chief complaints of left knee pain and swelling following the third spontaneous dislocation of the patella. The patient had a few episodes of locking sensation and instability of the left knee while walking, especially while climbing stairs. A knee MRI revealed MPFL tear in the left knee. A modified minimal invasive MPFL reconstruction technique was performed. The IKDC, Lysholm, and Modified Cincinnati scores improved significantly from preoperatively 48.3 %, 49 %, and 51 % to 89.7 %, 90 %, and 95 % consecutively. No recurrent patellar dislocations or swelling were reported during follow-up.

DISCUSSION

While quadriceps graft harvesting for MPFL reconstruction is typically highly invasive, using quadriceps tendons has consistently shown excellent outcomes. This study, however, takes it a step further by demonstrating that a minimally invasive procedure for harvesting quadriceps tendons, even without specialized instrumentation, can also yield excellent results.

CONCLUSION

MPFL reconstruction using superficial quadriceps tendon autograft can be achieved using a minimally invasive technique without the use of specialized instrumentation and has shown excellent knee functional improvement.

Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Using the Medial Third of the Patellar Tendon: Camanho's Technique

The reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is an essential procedure in the surgical treatment of patellar instability. The medial third of the patellar tendon is a good graft option for this reconstruction, maintaining the insertion of the graft in the patella, with no need for hardware for patellar fixation. The objective of this article is to describe the MPFL reconstruction technique with the patellar tendon graft.

Editorial Commentary: Pedicled Quadriceps Tendon Autograft for Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction Eradicates Risk of Saphenous Nerve Injury Seen With Gracilis Autograft. Allograft, When Available, Also Shows Excellent Outcomes

Comparing a pedicled single-limbed quadriceps tendon (QT) autograft to a matched gracilis autograft (GT) group with bone tunnel anchors for patellar instability, the QT group showed similar outcome yet markedly improved complication rates involving the saphenous nerve and no anterior knee pain. These findings are reassuring for the QT usage as an option to GT autograft. Multiple systematic reviews have clearly shown that allograft medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction has similar outcomes to autograft and is a viable option. As we have seen in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, there has been a march to include the QT into ligament reconstruction of the knee. The evidence is cumulating to support its use for medial patellofemoral complex reconstruction. As we await the verdict of Fulkerson's proposed double-bundle medial patellofemoral ligament and medial quadriceps tendon femoral ligament reconstruction, it appears that either QT autograft or GT allograft will be the go-to procedures of choice. Regardless the type of graft or type of patellar attachment, make sure the femoral side of the medial patellofemoral complex graft gets the most attention.