MPFL Review

🦵 MPFL explained: anatomy, who really needs surgery, and how smart rehab keeps your kneecap stable long term. 👇 Read More (anatomy → surgery decisions → rehab priorities) ⸻ MPFL Basics (What It Actually Does) The medial patellofemoral ligament keeps your kneecap from sliding out to the side — especially from 0–30° of knee flexion. If it’s torn, you’ll often feel instability, shifting, or a “slip” toward the outside of the knee. ⸻ When MPFL Surgery Makes Sense Outcomes are excellent when the injury is isolated (just the MPFL, clean anatomy). Where things get more complicated:     •    Shallow or abnormal trochlear groove     •    Large tibial tubercle offset     •    Arthritis or bony outgrowths These structural differences change how the kneecap glides — and can affect how predictable surgery is. ⸻ Early Rehab Priorities After reconstruction, the knee wants to get stiff — and the quad likes to shut down. Early rehab keeps things moving safely.     •    Protect the graft     •    Get the knee moving     •    Wake up the quad     •    Avoid risky movements early ⸻ Key Research Behind This Episode Schneider DK et al. Outcomes After Isolated MPFL Reconstruction. AJSM, 2016. Castagno C et al. Isolated MPFL Reconstruction Outcomes. The Knee, 2023. Manske RC & Prohaska D. Rehabilitation Following MPFL Reconstruction. IJSPT, 2017. ⸻ Image Credits Northland Orthopaedic Surgeon — Knee Anatomy (front view) Physio-Pedia — MPFL Anatomy Physio-Pedia — Patellofemoral Joint Sydney Knee Specialists — Knee Anatomy ⸻ 👋 Kevin Rosofsky, PT, DPT Evolution Sports Physiotherapy — Knee Expert Series 📩 Direct questions or referrals: [email protected] 🔗 Learn more about our clinic: www.evolutionsportspt.com @evosportspt #mpfl #patellofemoral #kneestability #kneerehab #kneepainrelief #patelladislocation #kneecapdislocation #orthopedicsportsmedicine #sportsphysio #physicaltherapist #ptrehab #movementmedicine #sportsrehab #patienteducation #jointhealth #injurypreventiontips #baltimorept #baltimorephysicaltherapy #baltimoremd #cockeysvillemd #timoniummd #towsonmd #baltimorewellness #foryoupage