Reconstruction of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament for Treatment of Patellofemoral Instability: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Background Growing awareness of the biomechanical contribution of the medial patellofemoral ligament has led to an upsurge in the publication of techniques and trials dealing with reconstructive techniques, warranting a review that includes the most recent evidence. Study Design Systematic review. Methods The authors undertook a systematic electronic search and rigorous screening process to find and identify published evidence describing the outcomes of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. Results Fourteen trials were included for analysis. Although they showed generally excellent outcomes for medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction modalities, there were several recurring weaknesses. Most were small case series, many had limited follow-up, and a majority employed other adjunctive techniques besides medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction, making it difficult to distinguish the determining factors in their outcomes. Conclusion There is limited but growing evidence that a medial patellofemoral ligament—based surgical approach to patellofemoral instability leads to excellent functional outcomes.