Assessment and Trends of the Methodological Quality of the Top 50 Most Cited Articles on Patellar Instability.

Background: Studies with a low level of evidence (LOE) have dominated the top cited research in many areas of orthopaedics. The wide range of treatment options for patellar instability necessitates an investigation to determine the types of studies that drive clinical practice.

Purpose: To determine (1) the top 50 most cited articles on patellar instability and (2) the correlation between the number of citations and LOE or methodological quality.

Editorial Commentary: Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction for Recurrent Patellar Instability-Single or Double Bundle: Does It Really Matter?

Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction is considered by most surgeons to be the standard of care for patients with recurrent lateral patellar instability, although the choice of how and when to address concomitant bony pathology (trochlear dysplasia, patella alta, or coronal-plane malalignment-elevated tibial tubercle-trochlear groove distance) remains unclear. Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction works to re-establish the primary static restraint to lateral translation of the patella and reduce the risk of recurrent dislocation. Regardless of graft choice or construct, this operation works well to prevent recurrent instability.