Rehabilitation of a 23-year-old Male After Right Knee Arthroscopy and Open Reconstruction of the Medial Patellofemoral Ligament With a Tibialis Anterior Allograft: A Case Report

BACKGROUND: Patellar dislocations are traumatic injuries that occur most often in individuals under the age of twenty and are related to sports and physical activity. Currently, there are no published reports describing the rehabilitation of younger males after arthroscopy and open reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) using a tibialis anterior allograft. CASE DESCRIPTION: The subject of this case report was a 23 year-old recreational male athlete who underwent right knee arthroscopic patellar chondroplasty, lateral retinacular release, partial lateral menisectomy, and an open MPFL reconstruction with a tibialis anterior allograft after sustaining a second patellar dislocation. The purpose of this case report is to present the functional outcomes as well as the rehabilitation strategy used during the treatment of this athlete. OUTCOME: The patient returned to his prior level of activity after finishing 22 weeks of physical therapy. At a one-year follow-up, the patient reported pain-free physical activity including weight training, running, and recreational basketball. DISCUSSION: The results of this four-phase rehabilitation program with this subject were excellent. However, research beyond single subject case reports on post-operative rehabilitation for knee arthroscopy and open MPFL reconstruction with a tibialis anterior allograft is lacking. This is the first report that describes a rehabilitation strategy for this procedure. Although there was a successful rehabilitation outcome, future research is necessary to establish optimal rehabilitation guidelines as well as normative milestones for individuals who undergo this surgery. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4-Case Report