The influence of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction on clinical results and sports activity level

Objectives: The aim of this study was to demonstrate postoperative outcomes and return to regular physical and sports activities at average of 6 years after patellar stabilization with medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction.Methods: Between November 2006 and January 2010, 31 isolated MPFL reconstructions in 29 patients with recurrent patellar dislocation were performed. Radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated preoperatively. Knee function was assessed pre- and postoperative using Kujala score and the patient satisfaction, according to the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. Tegner activity score was used for the evaluation of sports activity level.Results: The average follow-up was 6.41.2 years. All measured scores increased significantly at follow-up. The average Kujala score increased from 75 +/- 10 to 95 +/- 10, patient satisfaction according to IKDC score from 6.1 +/- 1.4 to 8.7 +/- 1.4 and Tegner activity score from 4.4 +/- 1.6 to 5.7 +/- 1.3. The Tegner activity score after surgery was significantly lower than the score before the patellar dislocation (6.7 +/- 1.3). There were no significant differences in Kujala postoperative score between women's and men's group (P=0.25). There was no significant correlation between body mass index and Kujala score postoperatively (P=0.11) and between age at surgery and Kujala scores postoperatively (P=0.56). Patients who were active in sports preoperatively had resumed sports activities in 88.5% after surgery, 69.6% of them returned to the same levels and 30.4% return to the lower levels.Conclusion: Patellar stabilization with MPFL reconstruction is a safe and effective treatment method for all patients with patellofemoral instability and allows most patients to return to regular physical and sports activities after surgical intervention. Although sports activity level increased significantly after surgery, the same level of sports activity before the patellar dislocation has not been achieved.