ObjectiveTo explore the clinical effects of combined operation involving tibial tubercle distalization for the recurrent patellar dislocation with patella alta.MethodsBetween April 2010 and May 2016, 14 cases of recurrent patellar dislocation with patella alta were treated with combined operation involving tibial tubercle distalization. There were 5 males and 9 females with an average age of 18.5 years (range, 13-26 years). The left knee was involved in 9 cases and the right knee in 5 cases. The patella had dislocated 3.3 times on average (range, 2-5 times). The interval between the first dislocation and admission was 19.7 months on average (range, 4-60 months), and the main symptoms were knee pain and limited knee movement. Preoperative X-ray films, CT, and MRI examinations of knee joint showed that the epiphyseal plate closed in all patients. Of all patients, 3 patients had avulsion fracture of the inner edge of patella, and 2 patients had free body in articular cavity. The tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, patellar-trochlear-groove distance, Caton-Deschamps index, knee range of motion (ROM), Lysholm score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Kujala score, and Tegner score were compared pre- and post-operation.ResultsAll patients had primary wound healing. All patients were followed up 24-72 months with an average of 34.6 months. X-ray film and CT examination showed that the patellar dislocation was corrected and the osteotomy of the tibial tubercle healed with an average healing time of 3.8 months (range, 3-5 month). At 1 day and 1 year after operation, the TT-TG distance, patellar-trochlear-groove distance, and Caton-Deschamps index showed significant differences when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between 1 day and 1 year after operation (P>0.05). At the 1 year and 2 years after operation, the knee ROM, Lysholm score, IKDC score, Kujala score, and Tegner score showed significant differences when compared with preoperative values (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between the 1 year and 2 years after operation (P>0.05).Conclusion Combined operation involving tibial tubercle distalization is a safe and reliable method, which has satisfactory short-term effectiveness for the recurrent patellar dislocation with patella alta.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of modified patellar tendon reconstruction using hamstring autograft in the treatment of chronic patellar tendon rupture and defects.MethodsThe clinical data of 11 patients with chronic patellar tendon rupture and defects admitted between January 2015 and August 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patient were treated with inverted U-shaped reconstruction technique using hamstring autografts, in which 2 bone tunnels were created at the level of 1/2 and lower 3/4 of the patella, and 1 bone tunnel was created beneath the tibial tuberosity. There were 8 males and 3 females with an average age of 30.1 years (range, 10-61 years). The average interval from the primary injury to the operation was 9.5 months (range, 2-36 months). According to Yousef classification, there were 7 cases of type A2, 3 cases of type B2, and 1 case of type C2. The length of the patella tendon defect was measured when the patella was reducted intraoperatively with an average of 4.5 cm (range, 2.7-7.1 cm). Subjective function scores [including International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective score, Tegner activity level, and Lysholm score] were evaluated before operation and at last follow-up. The loss of knee extension, Caton index, and thigh circumference difference at 15 cm above the patella between bilateral limbs were also measured.ResultsAll patients were followed up 24-66 months (mean, 34.2 months). All incisions were primary healing, and there were no complications such as wound infection, venous thrombosis of the lower extremities, stiffness of the knee joint, graft failure, neurovascular injury, etc. No second revision surgery was performed during the follow-up. At last follow-up, the subjective function scores (IKDC subjective score, Tegner activity level, Lysholm score), loss of knee extension, thigh circumference difference, and Caton index were significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Two patients still had patella alta, with Caton indexes of 1.29 and 1.32, respectively.ConclusionIn the treatment of chronic patellar tendon ruptures and defects, the modified patellar tendon reconstruction using hamstring autograft can significantly improve the postoperative knee function, restore the normal range of knee extension, enhance the extensor and correct the patella alta.