title: [The medial patellofemoral ligament: function, injury, and treatment].
abstract: The medial patellofemoral ligament or MPFL is the prime soft tissue stabilizer of the patella. The MPFL is a non-isometric ligament lying in the second fascial layer of the knee; it is tight in extension and lax in flexion. The ligament is always torn in acute patellar dislocations. As "form follows function" we believe that the MPFL should be reconstructed in such a way that it stabilizes the patella without changing its movement pattern.
authors.affiliation: Mediclinic, Strand Road, 7600 Stellenbosch, Süd-Afrika. knee@orthoclinic.co.za
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Erasmus
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D010027:Osteotomy; D010329:Patella / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D017847:Patellar Ligament / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery