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)

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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Image Credits

Northland Orthopaedic Surgeon — Knee Anatomy (front view)
Physio-Pedia — MPFL Anatomy
Physio-Pedia — Patellofemoral Joint
Sydney Knee Specialists — Knee Anatomy

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👋 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
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