Combined Reconstruction of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament and Medial Quadriceps Tendon-Femoral Ligament

Most patellar dislocations are associated with disruption of the proximal medial patellar restraints (PMPRs). The PMPRs comprise the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and medial quadriceps tendon-femoral ligament (MQTFL). Although isolated MPFL reconstruction is the most frequently performed procedure for the surgical management of recurrent dislocation, recent studies have shown that the MQTFL has a synergistic role with the MPFL in resisting lateral patellar displacement close to full extension. It has therefore been suggested that surgical techniques that gain the benefits of both proximal and distal PMPR biomechanical behavior may be best. This article describes an established technique for combined MPFL and MQTFL reconstruction using semitendinosus autograft.

Automated summary

Most patellar dislocations are caused by disruption of the proximal medial patellar restraints, which include the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) and medial quadriceps tendon-femoral ligament (MQTFL). Recent studies have shown that these two structures work together to resist lateral patellar displacement, suggesting that surgical techniques utilizing both can be more effective.