Information for the public
What has NICE said?
There is not much good evidence about how well this procedure works or how safe it is. It should only be used if extra care is taken to explain the risks and extra steps are put in place to record and review what happens.
Surgeons who are expert in managing unstable kneecaps should decide which patients should be offered this procedure. It should only be done by surgeons with experience in trochleoplasty done as an open procedure and in arthroscopic procedures on the knee.
More research on this procedure is needed.
What does this mean for me?
Your health professional should fully explain what is involved in having this procedure and discuss the possible benefits and risks with you. In particular, they should explain the uncertainty about the evidence on how likely it is to improve your symptoms and possible side effects. You should also be told how to find more information about the procedure. You should only be asked if you want to agree to this procedure after having this discussion.
Your health professional should ask you if details of your procedure can be collected.