We report a prospective analysis of clinical outcome in patients treated with medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction using an autologous semitendinosus graft. The technique includes superolateral portal arthroscopic assessment before and after graft placement to ensure correct graft tension and patellar tracking before fixation. Between October 2005 and October 2010, a total of 201 consecutive patients underwent 219 procedures. Follow-up is presented for 211 procedures in 193 patients with a mean age of 26 years (16 to 49), and mean follow-up of 16 months (6 to 42). Indications were atraumatic recurrent patellar dislocation in 141 patients, traumatic recurrent dislocation in 50, pain with subluxation in 14 and a single dislocation with persistent instability in six. There have been no recurrent dislocations/subluxations. There was a statistically significant improvement between available pre- and post-operative outcome scores for 193 patients (all p < 0.001). Female patients with a history of atraumatic recurrent dislocation and all patients with history of previous surgery had a significantly worse outcome (all p < 0.05). The indication for surgery, degree of dysplasia, associated patella alta, time from primary dislocation to surgery and evidence of associated cartilage damage at operation did not result in any significant difference in outcome. This series adds considerably to existing evidence that MPFL reconstruction is an effective surgical procedure for selected patients with patellofemoral instability.

Radiographic landmarks for the femoral attachment of the MPFL identified in this study are comparable with other recent work. This study describes new radiographic landmarks for the patellar attachment of the MPFL and highlights that it is essential to acquire true lateral radiographs if these radiographic landmarks are to be interpreted accurately.

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Until approximately 4 decades ago, when the options of arthroplasty and adequate means of fracture fixation were not available, various hip osteotomies were used as salvage operations for the treatment of fractured neck of the femur. Amongst all the osteotomies of the hip, McMurray's osteotomy was one of the most popular procedures. It was first described by Mr. T.P. McMurray of Liverpool, England, in 1936. 1) McMurray's osteotomy is anoblique, medial displacement intertrochanteric osteotomy. It was used widely for the treatment of femoral neck fractures (fresh fractures, delayed union, and nonunion), and degenerative hip arthritis. 2) In the long term, McMurray's osteotomy patients develop limb length discrepancy and secondary osteoarthritis due to the altered biomechanics of the hip and may require total hip replacement (THR). THR after the previous osteotomy is more challenging than that for nonoperated hip joints due to severe distortion of the hip anatomy and soft-tissue contractures. 3) We present our experience of 3 cases of THR after McMurray's osteotomy and discuss the tips and tricks for dealing with surgical difficulties in these cases. METHODS We managed 3 adult males, who underwent THR after McMurray's Osteotomy for fractured neck of the femur (Table 1). All these patients presented with secondary osteoarthritis. These males aged between 59 and 68 years

A retrospective study was carried out to evaluate the role of varus proximal femoral osteotomy in relieving symptoms and improving function in adults affected by hip dysplasia. A group of 24 patients were identified that underwent 26 varus proximal femoral osteotomies between the period May 1979 and January 2001. All were investigated by dynamic hip arthrography to confirm restoration of congruency in the abducted position and the position of ''best fit''. The mean age of the patients at the time of operation was 26 years (range 16 to 47) and the median duration of follow-up was 5.1 years (range 1.6 to 23.1 years). Clinical improvement was evaluated by determining the Harris Hip Score at the time of admission with a further assessment at the most recent follow-up. Additionally, radiological change was evaluated by measuring acetabular femoral head index, the centre-edge angle of Wiberg and the Tonnis grade of osteoarthritis. The results revealed an improvement in Harris hip score from a mean of 72.1 pre-operatively (range 58.8 to 88.53) to 96.83 at the most recent follow-up (range 85.1 to 100). The centre edge angle and acetabular head index also increased in all patients. The results were statistically significant (p value <0.05). The procedure was found to reduce discomfort and improve function in patients affected by hip dysplasia. No patients required further intervention to alter disease progression during the follow-up period. The best results were found when the operation was performed for long leg dysplasia. Only one patient required surgery for non-union at the osteotomy site. Varus proximal femoral osteotomy appears to be a good treatment option in young adults with hip dysplasia, even when early degenerative change is present.