Surgical treatment of habitual lateral patellar instability by proximal realignment procedure (Campbell technique)

Abstract

Background: Patellar instability may manifest as acute patellar dislocation, recurrent patellar dislocation or subluxation, habitual patellar dislocation or chronic patellar dislocation. Habitual patellar dislocation is a condition where the patella dislocates whenever the knee is flexed and spontaneously relocates with extension of the knee. The purpose of this study is to know the functional and radiological outcome following proximal realignment procedure (Campbell technique) for habitual patellar dislocation. Methods: The study was conducted from June 2017 to January 2019 with a minimum follow up of 6 months and a maximum follow up of 2 years. Inclusion Criteria: All patients with habitual patellar dislocation, age between 5 to 40 years. Exclusion Criteria: Patient age less than 5 years and aged above > 40 years, past history of knee surgery, acute patellar dislocation and knee effusions. Radiological assessment was done by measuring sulcus angle and congruence angle. Functional outcome was assessed by Kujala score. Conclusion: Campbell technique (lateral release of tight structures and medial plication of patellar retinaculum) is a safe and effective procedure for treating habitual patellar dislocation. Functional outcome evaluated by Kujala score was good for most of our patient’s. Radiological parameters (sulcus angle and congruence angle) were brought back to normal. There were no significant changes in sulcus angle. Congruence angle was brought back to normal, which was statistically significant (p