Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Repair – Still a Relevant Treatment for Patellar Instability?

Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) repair is a historically relevant treatment option for patellar instability, though it has been increasingly supplanted by MPFL reconstruction. Although several comparative studies report superior functional outcomes and a lower risk of recurrent patellar dislocation after MPFL reconstruction, MPFL repair may still be a viable treatment for a select group of patients. Patients with normal trochlear morphology, a normal TT-TG distance, lack of patella alta, and older age may be the best candidates for MPFL repair. MPFL repair also appears to be most effective when performed in the acute setting for avulsion-type tears. In an effort to improve repair outcomes, suture tape augmentation of MPFL repair has emerged recently and has shown promising early results. While our practice is typically to perform MPFL reconstruction for patellar instability, MPFL repair in appropriately selected patients may provide good clinical outcomes while avoiding some of the risks associated with reconstruction.