Tibial tubercle transfer on a medial periosteal pedicle--a report of a new technique.
Tibial tubercle transfer is still probably the most widely used procedure of the numerous operative procedures described to realign the patella and extensor mechanism and to prevent a recurrent dislocation. Although this procedure most likely disturbs the blood supply to the tibial tubercle and thus may lead to a delayed union. Tibial tubercle transfer is also considered to play a role in the incidence of a tibial tubercle delayed union. Furthermore, a fracture of the tibial metaphysis has been reported to occur in some cases. We therefore devised a new procedure in which the periosteum of the medial side of the proximal portion of the tibia was left intact when tibial tubercle transfer is performed. The current paper describes the results of new technique in 25 knees with patellar maltracking. Eighty-four percent of the patients had good or excellent results at a mean follow-up time of 49 months. All of the patients achieved complete healing radiographically within 2 months after the operation. Serious complications such as compartment syndrome, infection and skin slough were also completely avoided in all cases. This new procedure that the use of a protective maneuver for the periosteum of the medial side of the tibia may thus reduce the incidence of a delayed union and thereby promote early postoperative rehabilitation after tibial tubercle transfer.
Kanamiya
Takeshi
T
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Fukuoka University School of Medicine, Fukuoka, 7-45-1 Nanakuma Johnanku Fukuoka 814-0180, Japan. kanamiya@cis.fukuoka-u.ac.jp
Naito
Masatoshi
M
Hara
Michiya
M
Cho
Keihan
K
Saeki
Kazuhiko
K
Hanada
Hirofumi
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D031222:Patellar Dislocation / Q000601:surgery*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome