What is the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL)?
The MPFL is a ligament along the inside of your patella that helps to stabilizes the patella (kneecap). When a patellar dislocation occurs, it is torn or irreversibly stretched out. The MPFL works as a check reign to help your patella track within the trochlear groove during knee range of motion.
How is the MPFL damaged?
When the patella dislocates, it stretches or tears the MPFL, which is on the inside of the knee. Just because your MPFL has torn does not mean you necessarily need surgery. If this is your first patella dislocation you may not need surgery depending on how injured your knee is. Anyone who has 2 or more dislocations is indicated for surgery.
How will my MPFL be reconstructed?
This procedure is done through a small incision made at the inside portion of the knee. The injured ligament will be replaced with a graft, usually a hamstring tendon from the same leg or a cadaver allograft. The graft is attached to the patella and the femur at the locations where the original ligament previously attached. This can be done in a variety of different ways either with small anchors, screws or suspensory fixation.
How long will I stay in the hospital?
This surgery is typically done as ambulatory surgery, meaning you will go home the same day of surgery.
What are the possible risks and complications of surgery?
While very rare, as with any surgery there is a risk of DVT, nerve damage, and postoperative infection. Recurrent or persistent instability can also occur as well as post operative stiffness or inability to regain your full knee range of motion.
When can I drive?
With the left leg, it's ok to drive once you are off opioid medication and you can safely and easily bend your knee to 90 degrees, for the right leg, it depends on when you can safely regain your reaction time in order to keep you and others safe. This is typically around 8-10 weeks postoperatively but depends on your individual surgery and your recovery.
When can I resume jogging?
When you have demonstrated optimal single leg strength, often assessed by the ability to safely perform a controlled single leg step down, and completed a return to run progression under the supervision of your physical therapist and surgeon, you can begin jogging. This often starts with stationary bicycling with transition to elliptical and then treadmill intervals before full return to running.