Abstract:Objective To investigate whether anatomical reconstruction of medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) with femoral tunnel technique can affect the growth of epiphysis in adolescents with patellar dislocation. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed in the clinical data of young patients with primary patellar dislocation treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2015 to May 2018. There were 16 patients choosing conservative treatment as conservative group(in which 6 cases received surgery after suffering patellar redislocation and)44 patients (46 knees) undergoing the anatomical reconstruction of MPFL with the femoral tunnel technique (operative group), in which the semitendinosus was attached to the medial border of the patella with 2 anchors or tunnels in patella, and bone-screw interface was used in femoral fixation. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by Kujala score, Lysholm score, apprehension test, height, deformity and equal length of both legs. Results The patients in the conservative group were followed up for (20.10±6.80) months, and those in the operative group were followed up for (20. 93 ± 8. 78) months. After treatment, Kujala score and Lysholm score were significantly higher than those before treatment in two groups and were significantly higher in operative group than those in conservative group (all P<0.01). At the last follow-up, the average height in operative group, was (167.89±4.65) cm, within the range of average height for Chinese teenagers, without unequal leg length and limb deformity, and all the patients showed negative apprehension test. All patients achieved a full range of motion after operation, except for one patients with 0-90 degree of limb mobility. During the follow-up period, no re-dislocation of patella occurred, but patellar fracture occurred in one patient due to trauma two months after operation. Four patients suffered from long-term anterior knee pain when flexing. Conclusion For primary patellar dislocation, conservative treatment could achieve satisfactory outcomes, but the clinical score is lower, and there is possibility of redislocation. Although it is possible to stimulate epiphysis by anatomic reconstruction of MPFL with femoral tunnel technique, no postoperative changes such as height, varus deformity of affected limb or unequal length of legs have been found.