Osteotomy for patellar tracking disorder
An osteotomy is a surgery that involves cutting the bone. When a patellar tracking disorder is caused by a structural or alignment problem, an osteotomy can be an effective treatment option.
See an illustration of the knee
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A tibial tubercle osteotomy moves and reinserts the patellar tendon into the shinbone (tibia). This procedure is commonly performed for one or a combination of conditions in which:
- A patella slips sideways (laterally), out of its vertical track. This is known as lateral patellar tracking.
- An excessively long patellar tendon allows the patella to slide too high on the knee joint (patella alta).
A tibial tubercle osteotomy is usually combined with a lateral release.
| Author: | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH | Last Updated: February 14, 2008 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Kenneth J. Koval, MD - Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Trauma | |
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