[Arthroscopic treatment for patellar dislocation with lateral retinacular release combined with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction].

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the arthroscopic lateral retinacular release combined with medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for patellar dislocation.

Methods: Between January 2016 and March 2017, 28 cases (32 knees) with patellar dislocation were treated by arthroscopic lateral retinacular release and MPFL reconstruction. There were 6 males (6 knees) and 22 females (26 knees) with an average age of 21 years (range, 17-29 years). The disease duration ranged from 2 days to 2 years (mean, 8 months). Apprehension test of all patients were positive. The preoperative Lysholm score was 68.34±12.26. Anteroposterior X-ray film showed the patellar subluxation or dislocation. The Q angle was (17.67±4.21)° and the distance of tibia tuberosity-trochlear groove was less than 20 mm. The femoral attachment of retinacular were fixed by the interference screws (16 knee) or the anchors (16 knee), respectively.

Results: All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 6 months. The function of knee joint was significantly improved at 6 months after operation. The Lysholm score was 92.88±6.42 and the Q angle was (12.15±3.68)° at 6 months. There were significant differences in the Lysholm score and the Q angle between pre- and post-operation ( t =-3.408, P =0.006; t =-2.317, P =0.004). Apprehension test of all patients were negative. No knee pain, knee weakness, and patellar dislocation occurred during follow-up. There was no significant difference in the Lysholm score and the Q Angle between the anchor group and interference screw group ( t =-3.254, P =0.820; t =-3.576, P =0.940).

Conclusion: Lateral retinacular release combined with MPFL reconstruction under arthroscopy can effectively improve the function of the knee joint for patients with Q angle less than 20° and TT-TG less than 20 mm, and the early effectiveness is good. There is no significant difference in knee function between the anchor and interference screw internal fixation.