Study Status: Terminated
Recruit Status: Terminated
Study Type: Interventional
Official Title: Repair of Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Compared to Conservative Treatment for First Time Patella Dislocation; A Randomized Prospective Trial
Brief Summary:
Background: The forces involved in a patella dislocation event can cause significant collateral damage involving the articular cartilage of the patella femoral joint. As a result, prevention of recurrent patella dislocation and the associated disability and morbidity has generated significant interest in the orthopedic community. Historically, nonoperative treatment for first time patella dislocation has been problematic due to high redislocation rates. Nonoperative protocols generally involve bracing and/or immobilization, followed by physical therapy (1). Surgical approaches to recurrent patella dislocation, both soft tissue and boney realignment operations, have also had mixed results, including low success rates, associated complications, and variable rates of return to functional activity (2,3,4). This study is intended to compare the outcomes of a relatively low-risk Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) direct repair procedure to conservative treatment.
Methods/Design: This study is designed as a two arm randomized prospective trial. Approximately fifty subjects will be randomly assigned to either a surgical or non-operative arm by means of a computer randomized allocation program. All subjects will have X-Ray Images and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to determine the site of the MPFL damage, and to determine if any excluding conditions exist. Subjects randomized to the surgical group will have repair of the MPFL. Routine aftercare will consist of physical therapy in a clinic that has agreed to follow our protocol. Subjects randomized to the nonoperative group will receive 2 weeks of patellar immobilization, followed by patellar stabilization bracing with physical therapy for approximately 12 weeks. Physical therapy will progress through five phases with the goal of gait normalization, full range of motion and return to sport. Both arms will be given outcome ques