The Anatomy of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament

• Published in: Orthopedics (Thorofare, N.J.) Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. e583 - e588
• Main Authors: Trinh, Thai Q, Ferrel, Jason R, Bentley, Jared C, Steensen, Robert N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States SLACK INCORPORATED 01.07.2017
• Subjects: Elbow; Femur - anatomy & histology; Femur - diagnostic imaging; Femur - surgery; Fluoroscopy - methods; Humans; Knee; Knee Joint - anatomy & histology; Knee Joint - diagnostic imaging; Knee Joint - surgery; Ligaments; Ligaments, Articular - anatomy & histology; Ligaments, Articular - diagnostic imaging; Ligaments, Articular - injuries; Ligaments, Articular - surgery; Orthopedic Procedures - methods; Patellar Dislocation - diagnostic imaging; Patellar Dislocation - pathology; Patellar Dislocation - surgery; Patellofemoral Joint - anatomy & histology; Patellofemoral Joint - diagnostic imaging; Patellofemoral Joint - injuries; Patellofemoral Joint - surgery; Recurrence; Skin & tissue grafts; Studies
• ISSN: 0147-7447; 1938-2367
• DOI: 10.3928/01477447-20170223-03

Recurrent patellar dislocation is observed in many patients treated nonoperatively following primary dislocation. Injury to the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) is reported in the majority of patients following dislocation. There is an increased interest in repair or reconstruction of the MPFL for patients experiencing recurrent instability. The femoral attachment of the MPFL is critical in determining graft behavior following reconstruction. The femoral attachment can be determined by referencing local anatomy, fluoroscopic imaging or on the basis of desired graft-length changes. This article reviews the anatomy of the MPFL, with a focus on its femoral insertion site as it pertains to anatomic, isometric, and anisometric reconstruction. [Orthopedics. 2017; 40(4):e583-e588.].