Kneecap (patella) stabilisation

The medial patellofemoral ligament is a broad structure located on the inside of the knee joint. It connects the kneecap (patella) to the thigh bone (femur). The primary purpose of the MPFL is to provide stability to the kneecap; it provides restraint to any movement toward the outside of the knee. MPFL reconstruction is surgery in which a new medial patellofemoral ligament is created to stabilise the knee and help protect the joint from additional damage in cases of serious and recurring dislocation of the kneecap. It offers an excellent treatment option for people who have experienced more than one dislocation. It can be carried out using a combination of keyhole surgery and minimally invasive open surgery. During the procedure, a single hamstring tendon is used to reconstruct the MPFL. The procedure involves making a small tunnel in the kneecap and a second tunnel where the original ligament attached to the thigh bone. The new ligament is then passed as a loop through the tunnel in the kneecap, through the tunnel in the thigh, and secured in position. In most cases, you’ll be able to go home the next day and you should be able to take your own weight, supported by crutches, in a week or two. You can expect to get back to your usual activities around three months after surgery. Professor Schoettle developed a new technique for reconstructing a damaged MPFL, which has become known as the Schoettle Point.