Combined distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) in genu valgum leads to reliable patellar stabilization and an improvement in knee function

TY - JOUR

T1 - Combined distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) in genu valgum leads to reliable patellar stabilization and an improvement in knee function

AU - Frings, Jannik

AU - Krause, Matthias

AU - Akoto, Ralph

AU - Wohlmuth, Peter

AU - Frosch, Karl-Heinz

PY - 2018/12

Y1 - 2018/12

N2 - PURPOSE: Valgus deformities of the lower extremity influence patellofemoral joint kinematics. However, studies examining the clinical outcome after treatment of patellar instability and maltracking due to valgus deformity are rare in recent literature. This study's purpose is to analyze the clinical results after combined distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) for treatment of patellar instability.METHODS: From 2010 to 2016, 406 cases of patellofemoral instability and maltracking were treated. Twenty cases of recurring (≥ 2) patellar dislocations with genu valgum and unsuccessful conservative treatment were included in the study. A radiological analysis was performed, and anteroposterior (AP), lateral and long leg standing radiographs were analyzed, and the leg axis was pre- and postoperatively measured. At least 12 months postoperatively, the clinical leg axis, range of motion (ROM), apprehension sign, Zohlen sign, and J-sign were physically examined. Pain level and knee function were objectified on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The Lysholm, Kujala, and Tegner scores, re-dislocation rate, and patient satisfaction were also examined.RESULTS: 20 combined DFOs on 18 patients with a median age of 23 years (15-55 years) were performed. The preoperative mechanical leg axis was 6.5° ± 2.0° valgus, and the mean tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance was 19.1 ± 4.8 mm. All patients reported multiple dislocations. Intraoperatively, 71% presented III°-IV° cartilage lesions, located retropatellarly in 87% and correlating negatively with the postoperative Lysholm score (r = - 0.462, p = 0.040). The leg axis was corrected by 7.1° ± 2.6°, and in 17 cases, the tibial tubercle was additionally medialized by 10 ± 3.1 mm. All patellae were re-stabilized with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. After a median period of 16 (12-64) months, the pain level decreased from 8.0 ± 1.4 to 2.3 ± 2.1 (VAS p ≤ 0.001) and knee function improved from 40.1 ± 17.9 to 78.5 ± 16.6 (Kujala p ≤ 0.001), 36.1 ± 19.5 to 81.6 ± 11.7 (Lysholm p ≤ 0.001), and 2.0 (1-5) to 4.0 (3-6) (median Tegner p ≤ 0.001). No re-dislocation was observed.CONCLUSION: Combined DFO is a suitable treatment for patellar instability and maltracking due to genu valgum, as it leads to very low re-dislocation rates, a significant reduction of pain, and a significant increase of knee function with good-to-excellent results in the short-term follow-up. However, a high prevalence of substantial cartilage lesions is observed, causing postoperative limitations of knee function.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective cohort study.

AB - PURPOSE: Valgus deformities of the lower extremity influence patellofemoral joint kinematics. However, studies examining the clinical outcome after treatment of patellar instability and maltracking due to valgus deformity are rare in recent literature. This study's purpose is to analyze the clinical results after combined distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) for treatment of patellar instability.METHODS: From 2010 to 2016, 406 cases of patellofemoral instability and maltracking were treated. Twenty cases of recurring (≥ 2) patellar dislocations with genu valgum and unsuccessful conservative treatment were included in the study. A radiological analysis was performed, and anteroposterior (AP), lateral and long leg standing radiographs were analyzed, and the leg axis was pre- and postoperatively measured. At least 12 months postoperatively, the clinical leg axis, range of motion (ROM), apprehension sign, Zohlen sign, and J-sign were physically examined. Pain level and knee function were objectified on a visual analogue scale (VAS). The Lysholm, Kujala, and Tegner scores, re-dislocation rate, and patient satisfaction were also examined.RESULTS: 20 combined DFOs on 18 patients with a median age of 23 years (15-55 years) were performed. The preoperative mechanical leg axis was 6.5° ± 2.0° valgus, and the mean tibial tuberosity to trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance was 19.1 ± 4.8 mm. All patients reported multiple dislocations. Intraoperatively, 71% presented III°-IV° cartilage lesions, located retropatellarly in 87% and correlating negatively with the postoperative Lysholm score (r = - 0.462, p = 0.040). The leg axis was corrected by 7.1° ± 2.6°, and in 17 cases, the tibial tubercle was additionally medialized by 10 ± 3.1 mm. All patellae were re-stabilized with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction. After a median period of 16 (12-64) months, the pain level decreased from 8.0 ± 1.4 to 2.3 ± 2.1 (VAS p ≤ 0.001) and knee function improved from 40.1 ± 17.9 to 78.5 ± 16.6 (Kujala p ≤ 0.001), 36.1 ± 19.5 to 81.6 ± 11.7 (Lysholm p ≤ 0.001), and 2.0 (1-5) to 4.0 (3-6) (median Tegner p ≤ 0.001). No re-dislocation was observed.CONCLUSION: Combined DFO is a suitable treatment for patellar instability and maltracking due to genu valgum, as it leads to very low re-dislocation rates, a significant reduction of pain, and a significant increase of knee function with good-to-excellent results in the short-term follow-up. However, a high prevalence of substantial cartilage lesions is observed, causing postoperative limitations of knee function.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV, retrospective cohort study.

KW - Journal Article

U2 - 10.1007/s00167-018-5000-9

DO - 10.1007/s00167-018-5000-9

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 29869201

VL - 26

SP - 3572

EP - 3581

JO - KNEE SURG SPORT TR A

JF - KNEE SURG SPORT TR A

SN - 0942-2056

IS - 12

ER -