Complications of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction for recurrent patellar dislocation.

Abstract

Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFL reconstruction) is a standard treatment for recurrent patellar dislocation. Eventhough MPFL reconstruction has evolved during the past decade, consistent surgical technique remains unclear. The literatures contain numerous techniques of MPFL reconstruction. An important aspect to evaluate a new surgical procedure is to find complications that are specific to each procedure. This article reviews complications specific to MPFL reconstruction. Major complications including patellar fracture, recurrent patellar instability and loss of knee motion are discussed in details. These complications are serious conditions and need re-surgical operation. However, most of them are preventable by improvement of surgical techniques by orthopaedic surgeons.