Patellofemoral instability: Classification, indications for surgery and results

In the presence of patellofemoral instability, arthroscopy can be used for the less invasive treatment of certain pathologies. Historically, arthroscopy was only used in the kinematic analysis, for articular cartilage evaluation and for lateral release, but in the last few years, more invasive procedures, such as medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction or trochleoplasty, have been included. In the presence of bony abnormalities, a realignment surgery is combined with soft tissue surgery, such as tibial tuberosity osteotomy, or in the presence of severe trochlear dysplasia, trochleoplasty procedures can be performed in order to correct anatomic abnormality and restore patellofemoral joint stability.