Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction combined with biplanar supracondylar femoral derotation osteotomy in recurrent patellar dislocation with increased femoral internal torsion and genu valgum: a retrospective study

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction combined with supracondylar biplanar femoral derotation osteotomy (FDO) in recurrent patellar dislocation (RPD) with increased femoral anteversion angle (FAA) and genu valgum. Methods Between January 2017 to December 2020, a total of 13 consecutive patients (13 knees, 4 males and 9 females, mean age 18.7 (range, 15–29) years) with RPD with increased FAA and genu valgum who underwent supracondylar biplanar FDO using a Tomofix-locking plate combined with MPFL reconstruction in our institution were included. Preoperative full-leg standing radiographs, lateral views, and hip-knee-ankle computed tomography (CT) scans were used to evaluate the mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA), patellar height, tibial tubercle-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, and torsional angle of the tibial and femoral in the axial plane. Patient reported outcomes were evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score, Kujala score, Lysholm score, visual analog scale (VAS), and Tegner score preoperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative CT scans were used to evaluate the changes of FAA and TT-TG, and full-leg standing radiographs was used to evaluate the changes of mLDFA. Results A total of 13 patients (13 knees) were included with an average follow-up period of 14.7 months (range 12–26). No cases of patients developed wound infection, soft tissue irritation, and recurrent dislocation during the follow-up period after surgery. Bone healing at the osteotomy site was achieved in all cases, and all patients regained full extension and flexion. Clinical outcomes (VAS, Kujala, ICDC, Lysholom, and Tegner scores) improved significantly at the final follow-up after surgery (p < 0.05). The mean mLDFA changed significantly from 82.72°±3.27° to 88.63°±2.35°. The mean TT-TG distance significantly decreased from 19.63 ± 3.21 mm to 13.29 ± 2.78 mm, while the CDI did not change significantly after surgery (p༞0.05). The mean FAA significantly decreased from 32.77°±3.78° to 19.08°±3.14°, while the tibial torsion did not change significantly after surgery (p༞0.05). Conclusion MPFL reconstruction combined with supracondylar biplanar FDO showed satisfactory clinical outcomes and radiographic results in the short-term follow-up period.