Bad results after anterior advancement of the tibial tubercle for patello-femoral pain syndrome.

Seventy-one patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome were re-examined an average of 10 (range 8-12) years after anterior advancement of the tibial tuberosity. The clinical results were excellent in 8 (11%), good in 20 (28%), fair in 16 (23%), and poor in 27 (38%). Twenty patients had had a second operation. The results were worse in patients with Outerbridge grade III-IV cartilage damage. Since the clinical results deteriorated with time, this surgical procedure should no longer be used to treat patients with patello-femoral pain syndrome.