A new surgical technique for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation: review of primary results

Introduction Surgical options used to treat recurrent patellar dislocations (RPD) in different countries include release of the lateral tendon retinaculum, tibia medialization, fixation of an autologous graft to the hip, transplantation of the ipsilateral gracilis tendon and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. The methods may not completely eliminate the dislocation to ensure patellar stability and we undertook to develop a new surgical technique. The objective was to identify advantages and disadvantages of the new methodology for the treatment of RPD through comparative analysis. Material and methods 28 patients with RPD of varying degrees treated in the Department of Sports Trauma, State Institution "RSNPMCTO" the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan between 2015 and 2018 were reviewed. Dislocations were graded as average (grade 2; n = 3, 10.7 %) and grade 3 (n = 25; 89.3 %). Five (17.8%) of 28 patients had impaired m. vastus medialis and 23 (82.2 %) were diagnosed with impairment and defect of the retinaculum patella mediale. The patients underwent physical, laboratory, radiological and instrumentation (ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic arthroscopy) examinations. Results Arthroscopic procedure of the knee joint with autoplasty patellar stabilization using the m. gracilis tendon and a biodegradable screw resulted in good outcomes (n = 27; 96.4 %) and a fair result in a patient (3.6 %) with grade 3 RPD due to synovitis, bursitis and pain in the knee joint; no poor results reported. Conclusion The patients could completely regain the limb functions through arthroscopic procedure of the knee joint with autoplasty patellar stabilization using the m. gracilis tendon and a biodegradable screw, optimization of surgical treatment strategy with regard to severity of displacement and injury to the soft tissues at the medial aspect of the patella.