Anatomic Factors Influencing a Persistent J-Sign After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction and Distal Tibial Tubercle Osteotomy in Patients With Recurrent Patellar Dislocations and Patella Alta: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background: The J-sign is a marker of abnormal patellar tracking and is associated with bony abnormalities. When patella alta is present, distal tibial tubercle osteotomy (dTTO) can enable the patella to engage in a more distal/deeper groove, often eliminating the J-sign. Purpose: To determine which anatomic findings are associated with a persistent J-sign after medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFL-R) and dTTO in patients with recurrent lateral patellar dislocations and patella alta. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of 93 knees (77 patients) with recurrent lateral patellar dislocations and the J-sign, treated by a single surgeon with MPFL-R and dTTO without trochleoplasty, was conducted. Demographic, imaging, and surgical data were obtained from medical records. The following measurements were obtained: Caton-Deschamps index (CDI), patellotrochlear index, tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, patellar tendon–lateral trochlear ridge (PT-LTR) distance, lateral patellar tilt, tibiofemoral joint rotation (TFJR), lateral trochlear inclination (LTI), trochlear depth, sulcus angle, and sagittal bump height. The postoperative J-sign was assessed. Patients were categorized into the resolved J-sign group or persistent J-sign group. Binary logistic regression was performed to identify significant predictors of a postoperative J-sign. Cutoff values were determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis using the Youden index. The Fisher exact test was used to compare frequencies. Results: The J-sign was not observed postoperatively in 56 cases (60.2%) and was thus considered resolved. Preoperative characteristics revealed differences between the resolved J-sign and persistent J-sign groups for mean lateral patellar tilt, PT-LTR distance, TFJR, sulcus angle, trochlear depth, TT-TG distance, sagittal bump height, and LTI. The mean amount of distalization, patellotrochlear index, and preoperative and postoperative CDI were similar between the groups. Logistic regression identified TFJR, PT-LTR distance, and LTI as significant predictors of a persistent J-sign. An increased risk of a persistent J-sign was found for a TFJR ≥6° (odds ratio [OR], 14.9 [95% CI, 5.4-41.6]), PT-LTR distance ≥13 mm (OR, 12.3 [95% CI, 4.3-35.5]), and LTI ≤10° (OR, 4.1 [95% CI, 1.6-10.4]). The frequency of a persistent J-sign was 3.8% for cases with no risk factors above the threshold value, 10.5% with 1 risk factor, 63.0% with 2 risk factors, and 87.5% with all 3 risk factors present. Conclusion: A persistent J-sign was associated with imaging measurements of a more lateralized extensor mechanism (greater PT-LTR distance), trochlear dysplasia (lower LTI), and increased external TFJR.