Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40905301›Full record

ArticleKnee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA2026

Functional deficits and significant patellofemoral chondral deterioration two years after trochleoplasty and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction.

Lara Pozzi, Jakob Ackermann, Peter Brem, Michel Schläppi, Samuel Blatter, Simon Rauch, Peter Philipp Koch, Jean-Romain Delaloye

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Lara PozziDivision of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4618-045X
Jakob AckermannDivision of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.
Peter BremDepartment of Physiotherapy, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.
Michel SchläppiDivision of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.
Samuel BlatterDivision of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.
Simon RauchDivision of Radiology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.
Peter Philipp KochDivision of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.
Jean-Romain DelaloyeDivision of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Cantonal Hospital Winterthur, Winterthur, Switzerland.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8079-7758

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposePatellofemoral instability is a common knee condition and often associated with trochlear dysplasia. Sulcus-deepening trochleoplasty is a surgical option to reshape the trochlear groove and stabilise the patella. Although this procedure is considered safe and effective, the development of postoperative patellofemoral chondral lesions remains a topic of concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes following combined trochleoplasty and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with a minimum follow-up of 2 years.

methodsWe assessed 23 patients (24 knees) who underwent trochleoplasty with concomitant medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction between January 2014 and July 2018 at our institution. Follow-up consisted of clinical assessment, patient related outcome measurements (Kujala, Tegner, and IKDC score), standardised strength assessment using the VALD Performance system and radiological assessment with conventional radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging.

resultsNo recurrent patellar dislocation occurred postoperatively. The median postoperative Tegner, Kujala, and IKDC subjective scores were 4 (range 2-8), 87 (range 60-100) and 83 (range 49-98), respectively. Maximal isometric quadriceps (p < 0.001) and hamstring (p < 0.001) strength, as well as performance on the side hop test (p = 0.01), were significantly reduced on the operated side. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed no evidence of chondrolysis or subchondral necrosis. However, chondropathy in the patellofemoral joint significantly worsened. While cartilage status remained stable in six knees, deterioration was observed in 18 knees and it was not significantly associated with the duration of follow-up (p = 0.96) or the preoperative status of the cartilage (p = 0.84).

conclusionTrochleoplasty with concomitant medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction is an effective and safe treatment option for patellofemoral instability in the setting of high-grade trochlear dysplasia. However, functional deficits and significant patellofemoral chondral deterioration were observed with a minimum 2-year follow-up. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Indexed as

Cartilage, ArticularFemurJoint InstabilityLigaments, ArticularPatellofemoral JointAdolescentAdultFemaleFollow-Up StudiesHumansMagnetic Resonance ImagingMaleMiddle AgedPatellar DislocationPlastic Surgery ProceduresPostoperative Complicationskneemedial patellofemoral ligament reconstructionpatellofemoral instabilitypatellofemoral jointtrochleoplasty

Identifiers

PMID40905301
PMCPMC13418298

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.