Total Knee Replacement, partial knee replacement MJRC India

Tibial tubercle transfer

Definitons
This is a knee operation done for knee cap (Patellar) or pain arising from the patellofemoral joint. It is a very effective operation and an alternative to knee replacement in middle aged women.

   
Indications for Tibial tubercle transfer
Patients with anterior knee pain benefit from this operation. Women frequently suffer from anterior knee pain. When conservative treatment has failed, then knee surgery is advised. The tubercle is moved anteriorly or medially. The indications are a) patella alta b) patella baja c) patelo femoral arthritis, d) patello femoral malalignment e) Chondromalacia patella patella infera

Types of tibial tubercle transfer
The tubercle is moved anteriorly or medially. The indications are a) patella alta b) patella baja c) patelo femoral arthritis, d) patello femoral malalignment e) Chondromalacia patella patella infera

Tibial tubercle transfer or replacement
This question arises when the orthopedic surgeon is confronted with an elderly patient with pre dominantly patellar pain but X rays show some mild changes in the medial compartment. In such a situation an arthroscopy will confirm the extent of the disease whether it is localised to the patello femoral joint or it also involves the medial compartment. In such a scenario, Total knee replacments are preferable. However if there is disease restricted to the patella with mal tracking then tibial tubercle transfer is the operation of choice.

Tbial tubercle transfer or Patello femoral replacment
This choice confronts the orthopedic surgeon when there are definite signs of disease but x rays and MR scans show no malalignment. If the lesions are situated in the top of the patella then tibial tubercle transfer will not help and a replacement will be the ideal operation. Patello femoral replacements have recently enjoyed good success rates.