Sex-based differences in outcomes after surgical management of patellar instability
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The purpose was to investigate whether pain, function, satisfaction, or return to play (RTP) differs between sexes postoperatively in those undergoing medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction for patellar instability. METHODS: A review of patients who underwent an MPFL reconstruction for patellar instability was performed. Kujala score, visual analogue scale (VAS), patient satisfaction, willingness to undergo surgery again, revisions, RTP, and MPFL-return to sport after injury (MPFL-RSI) score were evaluated. Clinical outcomes were compared between sexes. RESULTS: Our study included 141 knees that underwent MPFL reconstruction, and the population was 69.5% female. Postoperatively, the mean VAS score at rest was 1.0 ± 1.7 in male patients and 1.6 ± 2.1 in female patients (P = .0963). The mean Kujala score was 88.8 ± 13.3 and 83.5 ± 16.1 for male and female patients, respectively (P = .1062). Overall, there was a significant difference in RTP, with male patients returning at higher rates (58.1 vs. 33.3%, P = .0479). The mean VAS score during activity was significantly lower in male patients at 1.8 compared with female patients at 3 (P = .016). The MPFL-RSI score was also significantly worse in female patients (69.5 vs. 55.6, P = .0098). Although female patients had slightly higher rates of recurrent subjective instability (14.3 vs. 11.7%) and re-dislocation (2 vs. 0%), the difference was not statistically significant (P > .05). CONCLUSION: Female patients had worse clinical outcomes than male patients undergoing MPFL reconstruction for patellar instability, with significantly lower rates of RTP, VAS score during sport, and MPFL-RSI scores with a trend toward lower Kujala score and VAS score.
Institutions: NYU Langone Health, New York University
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7117417510
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