Hardware-free MPFL reconstruction in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability is safe and effective

Minimal clinically important difference (MCID), patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS), and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) following surgical knee ligament reconstruction: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

The minimal clinically important difference (MCID), patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS), and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) are designed to prioritise clinically significant outcomes that demonstrate true clinical benefit rather than relying solely on statistical significance. These instruments aid clinicians in understanding the patient's perspective, allowing healthcare professionals to set treatment goals that align with patients' desires and expectations. This systematic review analysed tools to estimate the clinical relevance of the most commonly used PROMs to assess patients following surgical knee ligament reconstruction.

METHODS

This study was conducted according to the 2020 PRISMA statement. In January 2024, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. No time constraint was set for the search. All the clinical studies investigating tools to assess the clinical relevance of PROMs in knee ligament surgery were accessed. Only studies which evaluated the MCID, PASS, and SCB were eligible. The PROMs of interest were: International Knee Document Committee (IKDC), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and its related subscales activity of day living (ADL), pain, quality of life (QoL), sport and recreational, and symptoms (Roos et al. in J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 28:88-96, 1998), Lysholm knee scoring scale, Short Form 12 (SF-12) and its related mental and physical component subscales, Tegner Activity Scale.

RESULTS

Seven non-RCT investigations, three with a prospective and four with a retrospective study design, were selected for inclusion in the present review, including 1,414 patients. The overall risk of bias was low to moderate in 71.4% (5 of 7) and serious in 28.6% (2 of 7) of the studies assessed in the present investigation, indicating a broadly acceptable methodological quality. The IKDC reported an MCID of 13.8/100, the KOOS 8.0/100, the Lysholm 9.9/100, and the Tegner Activity Scale 0.5/10.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review demonstrated that more dependable scientific data, appropriate study methodology, and adequate reporting of MCID, SCB, and PASS in surgical knee ligament reconstruction is necessary. The IKDC score, the Lysholm score, and the Tegner activity scale were the only instruments with multiple studies reporting values. Level of evidence Level IV, systematic review and meta-analysis.

Anatomic physeal-sparing MPFL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients shows favourable outcomes at a minimum of 24-month follow-up

Purpose

Recurrent patellar dislocation is a prevalent orthopaedic issue among active paediatric and adolescent populations. Bony surgical procedures are not recommended in growing patients; therefore, the focus of surgery is on restoring the medial patellar ligaments, with different reconstructive techniques available. This retrospective case series focuses on the 2-year outcomes of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction in skeletally immature patients with open physis.

Methods

Twenty-four consecutive patients with patellofemoral instability and open growth plates underwent anatomic MPFL reconstruction with a physeal-sparing technique. All subjects have had more than three episodes of true patellar dislocations. Preoperative radiographic examination included anteroposterior and lateral views to assess patella alta and limb alignment. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to evaluate trochlear dysplasia and tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance. The patients were questioned regarding complications and clinical outcomes using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Kujala and Paediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC) score. Variables were evaluated using paired t test with significance at p < 0.05.

Results

The mean age at the time of operation was 13.04 years (9-16 years). The cohort was followed for a mean duration of 38.66 months (24-86 months). The mean time from injury to surgery was 50.45 days (16-80 days). No growth arrest, limb-length discrepancies or angular deformities were observed post-operatively during the whole follow-up period. No patellar re-dislocations were recorded throughout the study period. The VAS score improved significantly from 5.67 (4-8) to 1.88 (0-4) (p < 0.01). The Kujala score improved significantly from 64.67 (44-81) preoperatively to 87.58 (77-100) post-operatively (p < 0.01). The Pedi-IKDC also increased significantly from 58.81 (34.80-77.70) preoperatively to 90.64 (70.70-100) post-operatively (p < 0.01). The vast majority of patients (87.5%) returned to their pre-injury activity level. Boys scored better than girls in VAS, Pedi-IKDC and Kujala score post-operatively, but these differences were not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Physeal-sparing MPFL reconstruction in children and adolescents yields excellent midterm results and allows patients to return to sports without redislocation of the patella. Boys scored better than girls in VAS, Pedi-IKDC and Kujala score post-operatively, but these differences were not statistically significant.

Level of Evidence

IV: case series with no comparative group.

Allografts for Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) Reconstruction in Adolescent Patients with Recurrent Patellofemoral Instability: A Systematic Review

This systematic review updates the currently available evidence on medial patella-femoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using allografts. The outcomes were measured with patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), redislocation and complication rates. This study was performed according to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines using the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science databases, accessed in February 2023. Studies examining the clinical outcomes of MPFL reconstruction with allografts in adolescents and children with recurrent patellofemoral instability (PFI) were included. Data from three trials, including 113 surgical procedures in 121 children, were retrieved. 40% (48/121) of the included patients were girls. The mean age of the patients was 14.7 ± 0.8 years, and the mean follow-up length was 38.1 ± 16.5 months. With MPFL allograft reconstruction, the Kujala score improved by 14.7% (p < 0.0001) and the IKDC by 38.8% (p < 0.0001). The rate of dislocations was 5% (6 of 121), reoperation for instability was 11% (13 of 121), and subluxation was 2% (1 of 47). Conclusion: These results encourage the use of allografts for MPFL reconstruction in adolescent patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability. Though patellofemoral instability is common in clinical practice, the current literature lacks clinical evidence on allograft MPFL reconstruction. Additional high-quality investigations are required to properly establish the long-term advantages of allograft MPFL and its complication rate.

Outcomes, Return to Sport, and Failures of MPFL Reconstruction Using Autografts in Children and Adolescents with Recurrent Patellofemoral Instability: A Systematic Review

INTRODUCTION

This study systematically reviews and updates the current evidence on the outcomes of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using autografts in children and adolescents with recurrent patellofemoral instability. The outcomes of interest were improvements in patient reported outcomes measures (PROMs), return to sport rates, and the rates of surgical failure.

METHODS

This systematic review was performed according to the 2020 PRISMA guidelines. The following electronic databases were accessed in October 2022: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science. All the clinical studies which investigated the outcomes of MPFL reconstruction using autografts in children and adolescents with recurrent patellofemoral instability were accessed. Only studies which included patients younger than 18 years were considered. Techniques, case reports, guidelines, comments, editorials, letters, protocols, reviews, and meta-analyses were excluded. Studies which included patients with congenital or acute patellofemoral instability were not eligible, nor were those which focused exclusively on hyperlaxity.

RESULTS

Data from 477 patients (510 procedures) were retrieved. Of the patients, 41% (196 of 477) were women. The mean length of follow-up was 33.7 ± 28.8 months. The mean age of the patients was 14.6 ± 1.6 years. At the last follow-up, all PROMs of interest were statistically improved. The mean time to return to sport was 6.1 ± 1.1 months. Of the patients, 27% reduced their level of activity after surgical stabilization. A total of 87% of patients returned to practice sport. A total of 5% (26 of 477) and 2% (9 of 363) of patients experienced further dislocations and subluxations, respectively, during the follow-up period. Moreover, 4% (16 of 403) of patients underwent a further surgical procedure for patellofemoral instability within the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

MPFL reconstruction using autografts is effective in children and adolescents with recurrent patellofemoral instability.

Quality of life following medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction combined with medial tibial tubercle transfer in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation: a retrospective comparative study

Background

Because the patients undergoing medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLr) combined with medial tibial tubercle transfer (TTT) procedure are usually young and active, the quality of life (QoL) is also an important prognostic factor for patients with recurrent patellar dislocation. Assessing QoL can provide more useful and accurate evidence for the effects of this procedure. This study aimed to evaluate QoL following MPFLr combined with TTT, compared with isolated MPFLr (iMPFLr).

Methods

Fifty-one patients who underwent iMPFLr + TTT and 48 patients who underwent iMPFLr were included. Clinical evaluation included QoL (EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D VAS), functional outcomes (Kujala, Lysholm and Tegner activity scores), physical examinations (patellar apprehension test and range of motion) and redislocation rates. Radiological evaluation included patellar tilt angle and bisect offset. These preoperative and postoperative results were compared between groups at baseline and the final follow-up. The paired and independent t tests were used for the data following a normal distribution. Otherwise, the Wilcoxon and Mann–Whitney U tests were used to analyze the differences. Categorical variables were compared by chi-square or Fisher’s exact test.

Results

All of the QoL (EQ-5D-5L and EQ-5D VAS), clinical results and radiological outcomes significantly improved in both groups at the final follow-up, with no significant differences between groups. There was no significant difference in five dimensions of EQ-5D at the final follow-up, although percentages of people with problems of mobility and pain/discomfort were higher in the MPFLr + TTT group. Female patients had lower EQ-5D index and EQ-5D VAS compared with male patients in both groups at the final follow-up, but there was only a significant difference in the EQ-5D VAS.

Conclusions

Both MPFLr + TTT and iMPFLr groups obtained similar and satisfactory improvements in the QoL, clinical results and radiological outcomes, indicating that MPFLr combined with TTT is a safe and effective procedure, which can significantly improve the QoL for patients with recurrent patellar dislocation in cases of pathologically lateralized TT. However, female patients obtained lower QoL than males.