Alternatives to Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction

The medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) has been demonstrated to be the major soft tissue restraint to lateral patellar displacement; therefore its reconstruction is becoming the most performed procedure in cases of patellar dislocation. However, various alternatives have been proposed, aimed at reconstructing or reinforcing other ligamentous structures that are believed to play a crucial role in patellar stability. The reconstruction of the medial patellotibial ligament has been performed in our center, with generally good and promising results reported, and does not substantially differ from more popular surgical techniques such as MPFL reconstruction. The good results, combined with relevant technical issues such as its simple, less-invasive approach and low risk of complications, could make the technique a feasible alternative to the classic procedures of MPFL reconstruction for patellar stabilization.