SynthesisJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2022
Hardware-free MPFL reconstruction in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability is safe and effective.
Synthesis in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
13 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 13 citations in OpenAlex.
- Medial quadriceps tendon-femoral ligament reconstruction for recurrent patellofemoral instability: a systematic review.European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie · 2026Pooled it
- Minimal clinically important difference (MCID), patient-acceptable symptom state (PASS), and substantial clinical benefit (SCB) following surgical knee ligament reconstruction: a systematic review.European journal of trauma and emergency surgery : official publication of the European Trauma Society · 2025Pooled it
- Optimizing medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction: a randomized trial of 3D-printed guide plates for enhanced femoral tunnel accuracy and early functional recovery.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2026Trial
- Double Adjustable-Loop Cortical Buttons for Minimally Invasive Anatomic Double-Bundle Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.Arthroscopy techniques · 2026Article
- Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament using a double-bundle semitendinosus tendon graft and a single suture anchor.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2026Article
- Comparative cadaveric biomechanical analysis of vastus medialis advancement and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2026Article
- Technique for Implant-Free Medial Patello-femoral Ligament Reconstruction Using Tensor Fascia Lata Graft in Pediatric Patellar Instability.Indian journal of orthopaedics · 2026Article
- A retrospective Follow-Up after derotational distal femoral osteotomy combined with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction for the treatment of recurrent patellar dislocation.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2026Article
- Reporting Bias Is Highly Prevalent in Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Related to Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction.Arthroscopy, sports medicine, and rehabilitation · 2025Review
- Anatomic physeal-sparing MPFL reconstruction in skeletally immature patients shows favourable outcomes at a minimum of 24-month follow-up.Journal of experimental orthopaedics · 2024Article
- Allografts for Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) Reconstruction in Adolescent Patients with Recurrent Patellofemoral Instability: A Systematic Review.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2023Review
- Outcomes, Return to Sport, and Failures of MPFL Reconstruction Using Autografts in Children and Adolescents with Recurrent Patellofemoral Instability: A Systematic Review.Children (Basel, Switzerland) · 2022Review
- Quality of life following medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction combined with medial tibial tubercle transfer in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation: a retrospective comparative study.Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research · 2022Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
8 authors at 4 institutions in 4 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
purposeThis systematic review evaluated the clinical outcomes of hardware-free MPFL reconstruction techniques in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability, focusing on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), redislocation rate, and complications. The hypothesis was that hardware-free MPFL reconstruction in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability is safe and effective.
methodsThis systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, and Virtual Health Library databases were accessed in October 2021. All the clinical studies investigating the efficacy and feasibility of hardware-free MPFL reconstruction were screened for inclusion. Only studies with a minimum 24-month follow-up were considered eligible. Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale improvement and redislocation rate after surgical treatment were evaluated as primary outcomes. The rate of postoperative complications was evaluated as a secondary outcome. The quality of the methodological assessment was assessed using the Modified Coleman Methodology Score.
resultsEight studies were included in the present systematic review. The quality of the methodological assessment was moderate. Short- to long-term improvement of Kujala score was observed in all included studies. Mean score improvement ranged from + 13.2/100 to + 54/100, with mean postoperative scores ranging from 82/100 to 94/100. Patellar redislocation was observed in 8.33% (8 of 96) patients.
conclusionHardware-free MPFL reconstruction with or without associated soft-tissue or bony realignment procedures provided reliable clinical improvements and was associated with a low rate of redislocation in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability. Advantages such as safety, femoral physis preservation, and comparable complication profiles with implant-based techniques endorse its implementation. Orthopedic surgeons in cost-sensitive environments may also benefit their patients with lower costs, no need for implants, lack of implant-related complications, or surgery for implant removal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.