Anteromedialization of the tibial tubercle for patellofemoral arthritis in patients > 50 years.

This is a retrospective study of one surgeon's experience performing anteromedialization of the tibial tubercle for the treatment of isolated patellofemoral arthritis in active older patients. Patients were included if they were > 50 years at the time of the surgery and had a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Outerbridge classifications were documented by arthroscopy, and patellofemoral alignment was evaluated clinically and radiographically. Lysholm and Fern pain scores were obtained via mailed questionnaire or phone survey. A total of 22 anteromedialization procedures were performed on 17 patients who met the inclusion criteria; 82% of patients completed the followup survey. Mean age was 55 years. Mean follow-up was 77 months. Mean postoperative Lysholm score was 83. Based on Lysholm scores, there were 12 good to excellent, 6 fair, and 1 poor outcomes. Anteromedialization of the tibial tubercle is a definitive treatment option for isolated patellofemoral arthritis in active older patients.