Groove deepening trochleoplasty
🦵 What Is a Trochleoplasty?
Trochleoplasty is a rare surgical procedure to reshape the trochlea — the groove at the end of the thighbone (femur) where the kneecap (patella) sits and glides during movement. In some people, this groove is too shallow or even flat, a condition called trochlear dysplasia, which can cause the kneecap to slip out of place (dislocate). Mr. Alanie is one of only a small number of surgeons in the country who are capable of performing this procedure, and he routinely performs this on patients referred to him in his NHS practice with complex patella dislocations.
Trochleoplasty is done to deepen this groove, helping the kneecap track more normally and preventing repeated dislocations.
🔍 Why Is It Needed?
It’s considered when:
The kneecap keeps dislocating, especially despite previous surgeries like MPFL reconstruction.
Imaging (MRI or CT scan) shows a shallow or misshapen trochlear groove.
The dislocations are linked to pain, instability, or cartilage damage.
🛠️ How Is It Done?
The surgeon carefully reshapes the trochlear groove, often by removing some bone and creating a new, deeper channel.
The reshaped area is then covered with the original cartilage flap and secured, allowing the kneecap to move more normally.
It’s often done alongside other procedures like MPFL reconstruction or tibial tubercle osteotomy for the best outcome.
🕒 Recovery
Hospital stay: 1–2 days
Crutches and a knee brace for several weeks
Physiotherapy begins early and continues for several months
Return to full activity may take 4–6 months or longer, depending on individual healing and rehabilitation
🎯 Benefits
Helps stabilise the kneecap
Reduces or stops recurrent dislocations
Improves knee function and patient confidence
⚠️ Risks and Considerations
As with any joint surgery, there are risks which include but not limited to: infection, stiffness, delayed healing and flap necrosis.
It’s a technically demanding procedure and usually reserved for severe cases of instability where other treatments have failed or aren’t suitable on their own.
