Patients with lateral tracking patella have better pain relief following CT-guided tuberosity transfer than patients with unstable patella

In patients with either lateral tracking patella or unstable patella the pathological lateral position of the tuberosity can be corrected by a medial transfer. This study compared the results of subtle CT-guided correction of the tuberosity for objective unstable patella (n=27) with the results for lateral tracking patella (potential instability) as described by Dejour (n=16). Follow-up was 37 months. CT revealed a pathological lateralization of the tibial tuberosity–trochlear groove greater than 15 mm in 41 knees. These patients underwent medialization of the tibial tuberosity up to 10–12 mm lateral from the trochlear groove, and 28 patients underwent a distalization to normalize the Caton index to 1.0–1.2. Results were evaluated using Cox' method. Patients with objective patellar instability were rated as 11% excellent, 52% good, 33% fair, and 4% poor. All patients became stable except one who had a 6° valgus alignment. Although 96% had improved stability, 33% of the patients still had pain. The patients with lateral tracking patella (potential instability) were rated as 37.5% excellent, 44% good, and 19% fair. The lower proportion of pain relief in patients with unstable patella is likely the result of the cartilage damage experienced by these patients following multiple dislocations. Thus the patient with lateral tracking patella without patella dislocations must be differentiated from the one with unstable patella. Their prognosis in pain relief is better.