What is trochlea dysplasia and why is it important?
The trochlea is a groove in your thigh bone (femur) where your kneecap (patella) sits and moves when you bend or straighten your knee.
In trochlear dysplasia, this groove doesn’t form the right way. Instead of being smooth and shaped like a groove, it might be too flat—or even stick out like a bump. This makes it hard for the kneecap to stay in place, which can lead to it slipping out or feeling unstable.
What is a Trochleoplasty?
A trochleoplasty is a type of surgery that fixes the shape of the trochlea so your kneecap can move properly. Doctors may recommend this surgery if your kneecap still isn’t tracking (moving in the right path) right after other procedures like MPFL reconstruction or a tibial tubercle transfer (TTO).
To do the surgery, the doctor makes a cut near your kneecap—or sometimes just one larger cut if they are doing all three surgeries at once (MPFL, TTO, and trochleoplasty). They then reshape the bone under the cartilage to form a new groove. The cartilage is put back in place using stitches and/or screws. These hold it in place while your knee heals.
How long will I stay in the hospital?
With this surgery you may go home the same day.
What are the possible risks and complications?
As with any surgery there is a risk of blood clots, nerve damage, and postoperative infection. Specific risks and complications include but aren’t limited to, failure to heal, fracture, and hardware complications.
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.