Download PDF
J Knee Surg 2021; 34(04): 363-371
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1696647
Original Article

Timing for Safe Return to Sport after Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction: The Role of a Functional Test Battery

Authors

  • Fabrizio Matassi

    1   University of Florence, Orthopaedic Clinic CTO, Florence, Italy

  • Matteo Innocenti 

    1   University of Florence, Orthopaedic Clinic CTO, Florence, Italy

  • Cozzi Lepri Andrea

    1   University of Florence, Orthopaedic Clinic CTO, Florence, Italy

  • Luigi Zanna

    1   University of Florence, Orthopaedic Clinic CTO, Florence, Italy

  • Joseph Malone

    2   Department of Internal Medicine/Orthopaedics, Torshovsdalen Legesenter and Oslo Legevakt, Oslo, Norway

  • Roberto Civinini

    1   University of Florence, Orthopaedic Clinic CTO, Florence, Italy

  • Massimo Innocenti

    1   University of Florence, Orthopaedic Clinic CTO, Florence, Italy
Further Information
   Permissions and Reprints
Preview

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to analyze clinical and functional results after medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction and to establish if a computer-assisted physical test battery could determine a “safe timing” to return to sport. We hypothesized that “time-based” criteria to declare safe return to sport could not be reliable to predict functional recover. Fifty-eight young athletic patients were selected after isolated reconstruction of MPFL. The minimum follow-up was 8 months. All the patients were evaluated subjectively with Kujala and Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores and objectively through a standardized computer-assisted physical battery of seven tests (Back in Action, Corehab). No patient was lost at the end point of follow-up and no recurrence of patellar dislocation was reported. At 8 months, 31 patients (53.4%) returned to sport at preoperative levels, and 23 (39.6%) participated in sports at lower levels. The subjective evaluation reported an increase of Kujala (60–92.7) and SF-36 score (28.6/25.4–52.2/53.6). At computer-assisted objective assessment, only 23 patients (39.6%) fulfilled the criteria for safe return to sport, while 31 (53.4%) got an insufficient outcome and 4 (6.9%) failed to complete the test. From our data, clinical scores after MPFL reconstruction provide only little insight into return to sport. The introduction of a computer-assisted objective analysis in the decision-making process for proper return to sport is necessary to evaluate functional recovery and dynamic knee stability.

Keywords

MPFL reconstruction - return to sport - functional evaluation - battery test


Publication History

Received: 13 October 2018

Accepted: 15 July 2019

Article published online:
04 September 2019

© 2019. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA