Medial Parapatellar Approach to the Knee

Position

  • supine
  • tornique
  • foot rest
  • lateral support

Landmarks

  • patella
  • patellar ligament
  • tibial tuberosity

Incision

  • straight longitudinal midline incision extending from a point
  • Start: 5 cm above the superior pole of patella
  • End: level of tibial tubercle

Internervous Plane

  • Quadriceps splitting approach

Superficial Dissection

  • Subcutaneous tissues
  • Expose quadriceps tendon, medial border of patella, medial border of patella tendon
  • Enter the joint by incising
    • Medial side of patella leaving a cuff for repair
    • Divide quadriceps tendon along it’s medial border leaving a cuff for repair
    • Dividing the fibrous tissue along the medial aspect of patella tendon
  • Retract the fat pad & exise it