Title : Treating patella instability in children and adolescents: Which technique is better regarding distal femoral fixation
Abstract:
Patellar instability in the pediatric population can be a significant problem and a common cause of disability. In many cases, conservative treatments fail to adequately address the instability, and patients often present with a positive apprehension sign. A key concern during surgery in this age group is preserving the distal femoral physis. Over the past decade, medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction has emerged as the leading surgical technique for stabilizing recurrent patellar instability. Generally, two types of femoral fixation are used: anatomic and non-anatomic. Anatomic fixation uses the femoral insertion points of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) or adductor magnus tendon as reference markers for placing the MPFL’s femoral insertion, while non-anatomic fixation involves bony fixation that preserves the ligament's femoral origin. This study aimed to compare complication rates and patient-reported outcomes in skeletally immature patients who underwent either an anatomic (A) or non-anatomic (NA) MPFL reconstruction technique.
