We evaluated patellar tracking in six cadaveric knees with the medial restr
aints intact and then sectioned to determine their contribution to lateral
translation of the patella with and without a lateral force on the patella.
The medial patellofemoral ligament was then reconstructed with a gracilis
tendon graft and patellar tracking was again evaluated. The knees were exte
nded using a materials testing machine, and patellar tracking was measured
with a position sensing system. With no lateral force applied to the patell
a, patellar tracking was unaffected by the presence or absence of the media
l restraints or by reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament. Wi
th a lateral force applied to the patella, patellar tracking was changed si
gnificantly by the loss of the medial restraints. Normal patellar tracking
was substantially restored by reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral l
igament.