A technique for treating patello-femoral instability in immature patients: the tibial tubercle periosteum transfer

Musculoskelet Surg. 2011 Aug;95(2):89-94. doi: 10.1007/s12306-010-0094-3. Epub 2010 Dec 31.

Abstract

Patello-femoral problems are frequently encountered in knee clinic. The most important role of the patella is to increase the quadriceps efficiency, although this function could be altered in the patello-femoral instability. Active stability of the patello-femoral joint is provided by the surrounding muscles and ligaments, passive stability is provided by the bony and cartilage structures. Patellofemoral instability is defined, from Henry Dejour, as a disease without engagement the patella in the femoral trochlea during knee range of motion. Every time should be performed careful radiological preoperative investigations (radiographs and computed tomography) involving an expert musculoskeletal radiologist. Surgical procedures may be divided into those that address the soft tissues (muscles and ligaments), generally on the immature skeletal, and those that effect bony changes, generally on the mature skeletal; sometimes, it is necessary to combine soft-tissue and bony procedures. In this report, the authors describe a tibial tubercle periosteum transfer technique for patello-femoral instability in immature patients, which may potentially improve clinical results in very young symptomatic patients with patello-femoral instability.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Female
  • Femur / diagnostic imaging
  • Femur / surgery
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Joint Instability / diagnostic imaging
  • Joint Instability / etiology
  • Joint Instability / physiopathology
  • Joint Instability / surgery*
  • Orthopedic Procedures / methods
  • Osteotomy* / methods
  • Patellar Dislocation / diagnostic imaging
  • Patellar Dislocation / etiology
  • Patellar Dislocation / physiopathology
  • Patellar Dislocation / surgery*
  • Patellofemoral Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Patellofemoral Joint / injuries
  • Patellofemoral Joint / surgery*
  • Periosteum / transplantation*
  • Radiography
  • Range of Motion, Articular
  • Tibia / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome