Anteromedial displacement of the tibial tubercle for patellofemoral arthralgia.

Anterior and medial repositioning of the tibial tubercle (anteromedialization) reduces patellofemoral pressure and corrects patellar malalignment. Over the last 6 years this simple procedure was carried out on 53 knees in patients who had no athletic inclinations. The average age was 40.4 years. Follow-up was at least 1 year. A rating system was developed and overall the results were 65.9% excellent, 15.9% good, 11.4% fair and 6.8% poor. In the over-45 age group, the results were 57.1% excellent, 28.6% good, 14.3% fair and none poor. The complication rate was relatively low (18.7%). This procedure appears to be satisfactory for patellofemoral arthralgia when malalignment is present, particularly in the elderly.