
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Deepak Garg ( Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery)
A clinical sports orthopaedic guide on recurrent patellofemoral dislocation, evaluating trochlear dysplasia (Dejour classification), TT-TG distance, Medial Patellofemoral Ligament (MPFL) gracilis autograft reconstruction, and Fulkerson anteromedial tibial tubercle osteotomy.
CRITICAL CLINICAL RED FLAG: A traumatic twisting injury of the knee with the kneecap visibly slipping outward followed by rapid hemarthrosis (tense joint swelling) indicates an acute lateral patellar dislocation with MPFL rupture.
The MPFL provides 50% to 60% of total medial restraining force preventing lateral patellar displacement during the first 0° to 30° of knee flexion before the patella enters the bony trochlear groove. Rupture occurs in >95% of acute traumatic patellar dislocations.
Trochlear Dysplasia: Shallow or flat femoral trochlear groove (Dejour Types A to D).
Patella Alta: Abnormally high-riding kneecap (Caton-Deschamps index >1.2).
Increased TT-TG Distance: Tibial Tubercle-Trochlear Groove distance >20 mm on cross-sectional CT/MRI indicating pathological lateral valgus vector.
Under fluoroscopic and arthroscopic guidance:
Schöttle's Point Identification: Fluoroscopic verification of the precise femoral isometric saddle point.
Patellar Suture Anchors: Double-bundle fixation along the proximal medial half of the patella.
Tensioning in 30° Flexion: Fixation in 30° flexion with an interference screw ensures zero over-constraining of the patellofemoral joint.
"Restoring native patellar stability requires addressing both the soft tissue checkrein (MPFL) and bony alignment (TT-TG distance), permanently eliminating the fear of kneecap dislocation." — Dr. Deepak Garg

When TT-TG distance exceeds 20 mm or severe patella alta is present, an oblique anteromedial tibial tubercle osteotomy shifts the patellar tendon insertion medially (and distally), neutralizing lateral subluxation forces.
CLINICAL CAUTION: Performing isolated lateral retinacular release in an unstable patella with trochlear dysplasia increases medial instability and worsens long-term patellofemoral subluxation.
Hinged brace locked in extension for 2 weeks, with progressive active flexion and quad strengthening. Return to pivoting sports and athletic cutting occurs at 4 to 6 months.
1. Anatomic MPFL reconstruction: Long-term clinical outcomes and recurrence rates in 200 athletes — Am J Sports Med, 2021; 49(7): 1850-1860.
2. Management of patellar instability: Current concepts from the International Patellofemoral Study Group — J Bone Joint Surg Am, 2022; 104(10): 920-932.

Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
MBBS (TNMC Mumbai), DNB Orthopaedics (PGI & SP Miraj), Fellowship Arthroplasty and Arthroscopy (Fortis Hospital, New Delhi), Fellowship Orthopaedic Oncology (Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi)

16+ Years Experience
Spica — Grover Hospital
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Proprietary surgical methodologies and precision protocols pioneered by our senior directors to minimize trauma, protect natural anatomy, and accelerate recovery.

Dr. Deepak Garg (Orthopaedic Surgical Oncology - RGCI Delhi Trained) and Dr. Neha Gupta (Medical Oncology) co-lead the Bone Cancer & Sarcoma Center at Spica Healthcare. Integrating intensive multi-agent neoadjuvant chemotherapy protocols (MAP: High-Dose Methotrexate, Doxorubicin, Cisplatin for Osteosarcoma; VIDE: Vincristine, Ifosfamide, Doxorubicin, Etoposide for Ewing Sarcoma) with 3D computer-navigated limb salvage surgery and modular titanium megaprosthetic joint reconstruction, 5-year survival rates exceed 75% to 80% while saving over 95% of patients from limb amputation.
Spica Healthcare — Bone and Cancer Institute, Bathinda — is South-Western Punjab's premier super-speciality centre led by AIIMS and Tata Memorial fellowship-trained directors.
Every diagnostic MRI review, surgical staging, and operation is personally directed by chief clinical specialists — Dr. Deepak Garg (Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotics) and Dr. Neha Gupta (Medical Oncology) — guaranteeing zero junior proxies.
Sub-millimeter implant positioning and soft-tissue ligament balancing ensuring patients walk comfortably within 24 hours of total knee replacement.
South-West Punjab's only dedicated centre for modular titanium megaprosthesis, saving natural limbs and functions in 95%+ of bone cancer patients.
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Fellowship-trained surgical directors from AIIMS & Tata Memorial providing compassionate, world-class tertiary care in super-speciality orthopaedics and medical oncology.

Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Medical Oncology
MBBS (BFUHS Faridkot), MD Radiation Oncology (BFUHS Faridkot), DrNB Medical Oncology (Sarvodaya Hospital, Faridabad), Precision Oncology (Harvard, USA), Ex Consultant RGCI New Delhi


Senior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
16+ Yrs ExpSenior Consultant & Clinical Director — Orthopaedic Oncology & Robotic Joint Surgery
MBBS (TNMC Mumbai), DNB Orthopaedics (PGI & SP Miraj), Fellowship Arthroplasty and Arthroscopy (Fortis Hospital, New Delhi), Fellowship Orthopaedic Oncology (Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, New Delhi)
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Real stories from patients who recovered through limb preservation surgery, 3D robotic joint replacements, and precision cancer care at Spica Healthcare — Grover Hospital, Bathinda.
Evidence-based surgical recovery roadmaps, robotic joint protocols, and precision oncology insights written by our clinical directors.