Radiographic images are inapplicable for a precise evaluation of the femoral tunnel position following MPFL reconstruction

Purpose In medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction, it remains controversial whether more accurate femoral tunnel positioning is correlated with improved clinical outcomes. The purpose was to verify the accuracy of methods for evaluating tunnel positioning, one of which is the use of postoperative radiographs, in determining the femoral tunnel position following MPFL reconstruction and to compare the variability of tunnel positions to the intraoperatively documented positions on a true-lateral view. Methods Seventy-three consecutive MPFL reconstructions were prospectively enrolled. Femoral tunnel positions were intraoperatively determined using fluoroscopy to obtain true-lateral radiographs. Postoperatively, lateral radiographic images were taken. Seven independent radiologists and seven independent orthopaedic knee surgeons evaluated the femoral tunnel position and amount of malrotation for each radiograph. Deviations from the Schoettle's point were measured and repeated after 4 weeks. Intraobserver and interobserver analyses of variance were calculated to determine the reliability of measurements on both intraoperative and postoperative radiographs. Results Fifty-six patients were included in the final analysis. Tunnel positions were unable to be identified on postoperative radiographs in 14% of cases on average, independent of the degree of radiograph rotation. Intraoperative images showed mean deviations from the tunnel position to the centre of Schoettle's point of 1.9 +/- 1.4 mm and 1.6 +/- 1.0 mm in anterior-posterior and proximal-distal direction, respectively. Postoperative radiographs showed mean anterior-posterior and deviations of 7.4 +/- 4.4 mm and 8.9 +/- 5.8 mm assessed by orthopaedic surgeons and 10.6 +/- 6.3 mm and 11.6 +/- 7.1 mm assessed by radiologists at first and repeated measurement, respectively. The mean proximal-distal deviations were 4.8 +/- 4.4 mm and 6.5 +/- 6.0 mm and 7.2 +/- 6.3 mm and 8.1 +/- 7.1 mm, respectively. Measurement of tunnel position on intraoperative fluoroscopic images was significantly different compared to postoperative radiographs for each of the 14 observers (p < 0.05). Significant intraobserver and interobserver differences between the first and repeat measurements for both orthopaedic surgeons and radiologists were observed (p < 0.05). Conclusion Measurement of the femoral tunnel position on postoperative lateral radiographs is not an accurate or reliable method for evaluating tunnel position after MPFL reconstruction due to exposure, contrast, and malrotation of the radiograph from a true-lateral image. In contrast, intraoperative fluoroscopic control allows for a precise lateral view and correct tunnel positioning. Thus, postoperative radiographic images may be unnecessary for the evaluation of femoral tunnel positions, particularly when intraoperative fluoroscopy has been used. Study design Level II, prospective cohort study.