Operative realignment of patellar malalignment in children.

Realignment operations were performed on 57 knees to correct patellar malalignment in children between 1985 and 1991. Three different operative techniques were used: the lateral release, the lateral release and medial reefment, and the Roux-Goldthwait patellar tendon transposition. Roentgenographic values were measured before and after the operation by Laurin's method. The mean follow-up time was 4 years 2 months, after which 20 knees were excellent, 20 good, 11 fair, and six poor, according to Insall's criteria. The effect of the operation on pathological roentgenographic values was obvious, and the malalignment of the patella was in most cases corrected. There are differences in the improvement effected by these three techniques. The lateral release and medial reefment correct the patellar tilt most effectively, and the Roux-Goldthwait operation, the lateral patellar deviation. The lateral release seems to be the appropriate technique for mild malalignment.