Changes in Patellar Morphology Following Soft Tissue Surgical Correction of Recurrent Patellar Dislocation in Children with Low‐Grade Trochlear Dysplasia

Abstract

Objective To investigate the changes in patellar morphology following soft tissue surgical correction of recurrent patellar dislocation in children with low‐grade trochlear dysplasia. Methods The prospective cohort study was performed between November 2007 and December 2012. Finally, 25 cases, with the mean age of 8.4 years (range from 7 to 10 years), were admitted to the study. All patients were diagnosed as bilateral recurrent patellar dislocation associated with femoral trochlear dysplasia. The knee that suffered injury or was dislocated was treated with medial patellar retinacular plasty (surgery group). The contralateral knee, which served as a control, was treated conservatively (conservative group). Axial CT scans were undertaken in all patients to assess the patellar morphological characteristics. Results The mean follow‐up time was 60.8 months (range 48 to 75 months). Preoperatively, there were no statistically significant differences between the patellar morphology in the two groups (P > 0.05). Many radiological parameters of patellar morphology were significantly different between the two groups at the final follow‐up, including well‐known parameters, such as the mean patellar width (surgery group, 40.58 mm [SD 1.26]; conservative group, 36.41 mm [SD 1.17]; P 0.05) at the final follow‐up. No complications were found. Conclusions The patellar morphology can be significantly improved by early soft tissue surgical correction in children with patellar instability associated with low‐grade femoral trochlear dysplasia.

Keywords

• Children
• CT scan
• Patellar morphology change
• Recurrent patellar dislocation
• Trochlear dysplasia