Frontal Tendon Lengthening Plasty for Treatment of Structural Patella Baja

Abstract

Patella baja is a severe complication seen after trauma, prolonged immobilization and surgery. Several surgical methods have been described to proximalize the patella without a change in the patella tendon length. Yet, patella tendon shortening and thickening can be regarded as the hallmark pathology. As such, we describe a technique for the lengthening of the patellar tendon to pathoconformly address underlying patella baja. The technique is reproducible and gives the possibility of an early postoperative mobilization to prevent re-baja—a typical complication after patella baja surgery.