Advancement of the tibial tuberosity for patellar pain. A 5-year follow-up.

During the period 1978-1984, 38 patients aged 23-55 years were treated for patellofemoral pain by the Maquet procedure. The mean postoperative observation time was 5(3-9) years. Thirty-three of the 38 patients were available for follow-up including functional and activity scoring, clinical examination, and Cybex II dynamometer muscle-strength measurement. Ten patients improved, 17 were unchanged, and 6 were worse. Characteristic for the improved group was Grades III and IV chondromalacia - mainly involving the lateral facet - whereas the group with no improvement or deterioration exhibited a low-grade chondromalacia, chiefly affecting the medial patellar facet.