Patellar Instability Surgery

Dr. Ahmad and his team of health professionals will greet you and start your visit with a discussion of your symptoms, sport, level of competition, desired activity level, and mechanism of injury. Next, the doctor will exam your knee, focusing on:

• The severity of swelling
• Range of motion
• MPFL tenderness
• Muscle strength
• General knee alignment
• Degree of looseness of the patella

In some situations, Dr. Ahmad may order an MRI scan to determine the severity of the MPFL tear.

Surgical

Reconstructive surgery of an MPFL tear generally includes:

• Diagnostic Arthroscopy: A procedure used to assess the damage to your knee and its tendons, specifically it looks for any intra-articular abnormalities, including cartilage damage around the kneecap joint.
• Chondroplasty: If cartilage damage is found, this procedure uses a small instrument to shave off cartilage flaps. Some situations require cartilage restoration. Please visit {Insert Link} for more information.
• Reconstruction: This entails making incisions to expose the MPFL, and using screws and pins to realign and reattach the kneecap and the torn tendon.

Rehabilitation and Recovery

One of the most important parts of surgery is the post-operation recovery process, known as rehabilitation or rehab. For MPFL reconstructive surgery rehab is focused on achieving the following 12-week initial rehab goals:

Weeks 1 through 6:

• Weight bearing in extension.

• A home program for quadriceps strengthening is started

Week 2 through 6

• Formal physical therapy begins, including passive and active-assist range of motion.

Week 6

• Physical therapist begins more aggressive strengthening of the quadriceps and hamstrings, as well as hip and core muscles.

Week 12

• Running and agility training is permitted, and a return to full athletics may be anticipated starting at 4 months.