SURGICAL-CORRECTION OF MEDIAL SUBLUXATION OF THE PATELLA

We evaluated the results of a surgical procedure to correct medial sub luxation of the patella in 63 patients (65 knees), most of whom had un dergone a lateral retinacular release, We performed a direct repair or a reconstruction of the lateral patellotibial ligament using locally available tissue such as strips of iliotibial band or patellar tendon. Followup averaged 53.7 months (range, 24 to 99). Outcome was based on the examiner's inability to clinically reproduce the patient's painfu l medial subluxation and on the patient's general impression of his or her improved functional status. Forty-four patients (68%) reported im provement in their functional levels and 49 (75%) reported that they w ere subjectively improved by the procedure, Overall, 50 patients (80%) had a rating of good or excellent. Six knees required a second surgic al reconstruction because of failure to improve or because of a reinju ry. Analysis of overall clinical outcome revealed no significant relat ionships based on the patient's age at the time of the initial procedu re, sex, or length of followup (P > 0.10). Reconstitution of the later al patellotibial ligament effectively corrected medial subluxation of the patella and long-term results of this salvage procedure were satis factory.