Medial Plication Using an Arthroscopic All-Inside Technique for Treatment of Patellar Instability in Adolescents

The purpose of this study was to present a medial plication using an arthroscopic all-inside technique for the treatment of patellar instability in adolescents. From July 2009 to June 2012, 19 patients with acute patellar dislocation were operated by this technique. Of these patients, follow-up was available in 17 patients at an average of 3 years (range: 1.5–4 years). At the follow-up, we evaluated the patients with physical examinations, radiographs, computed tomography scan, as well as the Lysholm and Kujala scoring scales. No recurrence of patellar instability has been found. The recovery of knee mobilization resulted to be good. We think this could be a valid technique to treat patellar instability in adolescents with less associated morbidity and good cosmetic results.

Pattern of presentation of patella instability at the national orthopaedic hospital, Dala Kano, Nigeria

Patella instability is a clinical condition in which patella dislocation had occurred at least twice, or where patella instability following initial dislocation had persisted for more than three months. It can be unilateral or bilateral. Females are more affected, and it can affect the quality of life of the individual affected. This study is a retrospective survey of all patients who had recurrent patella dislocation at National Orthopedic hospital, Dala, Kano between January 2009 and November 2019. A total of 49 patients were treated with recurrent patella dislocation were found with a predominant young age (11-20 years-old) and a female preponderance (56.4%). Pain, instability or both are the main forms of presentation. Trauma, ligamentous laxity as well as hypoplasia of femoral condyle were risk factors identified. Arthroscopic medial plication and lateral release and was done in 28 (71.8%) patients as a means of treatment. Three patients (7.7%) had medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) while the remaining 8 patients (20.5%) were managed non-operatively.