title: RANDOMIZED PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON TRAUMATIC PATELLAR DISLOCATION: CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT VERSUS RECONSTRUCTION OF THE MEDIAL PATELLOFEMORAL LIGAMENT USING THE PATELLAR TENDON, WITH A MINIMUM OF TWO YEARS OF FOLLOW-UP.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to compare the surgical results from reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) with non-operative treatment of primary patellar dislocation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-nine patients (41 knees) with patellar dislocation were randomized into two groups. One group was treated conservatively (immobilization and physiotherapy) and other was treated surgically with reconstruction of the MPFL, and the results were evaluated with a minimum follow-up of two years. The Kujala questionnaire was applied to assess pain and quality of life, and recurrences were evaluated. Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used in the statistical evaluation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The statistical analysis showed that the mean Kujala score was significantly lower in the conservative group (70.8), compared with the mean value in the surgical group (88.9), with p = 0.001. The surgical group presented a higher percentage of "good/excellent" Kujala score results (71.43%) than in the conservative group (25.0%), with p = 0.003. The conservative group presented a greater number of recurrences (35% of the cases), while in the surgical group there were no reports of recurrences and/or subluxation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Treatment with reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament using the patellar tendon produced better results, based on the analysis of post-treatment recurrences and the better final results from the Kujala questionnaire after a minimum follow-up period of two years.
authors.affiliation: Master's degree in Science from the Department of Orthopedics of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo; Orthopedist at Instituto Vita - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre Carneiro
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Bitar
authors.affiliation: Master's degree in Science from the Department of Orthopedics of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo; Orthopedist at Instituto Vita - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Caio Oliveira
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: D'Elia
authors.affiliation: Master's and Doctor's degree in Science from the Department of Orthopedics of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo; Assistant Physician of the Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology of HC-FMUSP - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Marco Kawamura
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Demange
authors.affiliation: Master's degree in Science from the Department of Orthopedics of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo; Orthopedist at Instituto Camanho and at Hospital do Coração - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alexandre Christo
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Viegas
authors.affiliation: Full Professor of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology of the School of Medicine of Universidade de São Paulo - São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Gilberto Luis
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Camanho
keywords: Knee; Patellar Dislocation; Patellar Ligament; Reconstruction