OPERATIVE REALIGNMENT OF PATELLAR MALALIGNMENT IN CHILDREN

Realignment operations were performed on 57 knees to correct patellar malalignment in children between 1985 and 1991. Three different operat ive techniques were used: the lateral release, the lateral release and medial reefment, and the Roux-Goldthwait patellar tendon transpositio n. Roentgenographic values were measured before and after the operatio n by Laurin's method. The mean follow-up time was 4 years 2 months, af ter which 20 knees were excellent, 20 good, 11 fair, and six poor, acc ording to Insall's criteria. The effect of the operation on pathologic al roentgenographic values was obvious, and the malalignment of the pa tella was in most cases corrected. There are differences in the improv ement effected by these three techniques. The lateral release and medi al reefment correct the patellar tilt most effectively, and the Roux-G oldthwait operation, the lateral patellar deviation. The lateral relea se seems to be the appropriate technique for mild malalignment.