OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical results of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction combined with the lateral retinacular release for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation.

METHODSFrom March 2011 to June 2013, 15 patients with recurrent patellar dislocation underwent arthroscopic MPFL reconstruction combined with the lateral retinacular release. The graft was autogenous semitendinosus and semimembranosus tendon. There were 5 males and 10 females with an average age of 19.4 years old (ranged,14 to 32 years old). The patients suffered recurrent patellar dislocation at least twice preoperatively. Preoperative conventional X-ray, CT, and MR examination were used to analyze the causes of the patellofemoral joint and MPFL injury. Preoperative Lysholm score was 69.85 ± 11.52. During operation, the arthroscopic examination was performed to evaluate the patellofemoral alignment and patellar tracking.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up for an average of 27.6 months (ranged,12 to 36 months) with no recurrent dislocation and sub-dislocation. All the patients showed negative apprehension test at straight and 30 ° flexions of knee. The range of motion of knee returned to normal level at 12 months after operation. There were no patients with subjective discomfort of knee. Postoperative Lysholm score was improved to 92.60 ± 5.75.

CONCLUSIONThe technique of arthroscopic MPFL reconstruction combined with the lateral retinacular release is an effective surgical procedure for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation, which can relieve the symptom of knee and improve the patella stability and knee function.