IntroductionRecurrent patellar instability can be a source of continued pain and functional limitation in the young, active patient population. Instability in the setting of an elevated tibial tubercle–trochlear groove (TT–TG) distance can be effectively managed with a tibial tubercle osteotomy. At the present time, clinical outcome data are limited with respect to this surgical approach to patellar instability. MethodsA retrospective chart review was performed to identify all cases of tibial tubercle osteotomy for the management of patellar instability performed at our institution with at least 1 year of post-operative follow-up. Patient demographic information was collected along with relevant operative data. Each patient was evaluated post-operatively with their outcomes assessed utilising a visual analogue score of pain, patient satisfaction, Tegner Activity Scale and Kujala score. Results31 patients (23 females and 8 males) with mean age of 27 years (17–43 years) and a mean BMI of 26.3kg/m2 (19.6–35.8) at time of surgery who underwent a tibial tubercle osteotomy as treatment for recurrent patellar instability were identified. The cohort had a mean follow up of 4.4 years (1.5–11.8 years). The mean pre-operative TT–TG distance was 18mm (10–22mm). The mean VAS pain score demonstrated a significant improvement from 6.8 (95% CI 6.1–7.5) at baseline to 2.8 (95% CI 1.9–3.7) post-operatively (p<0.001). The Tegner score improved from 4.1 (95% CI 3.4–4.8) pre-operatively to 5.2 (95% CI 4.5–5.9) at the time of final follow up (p<0.04). The Kujala score for anterior knee pain improved postoperatively from 62 (95% CI 55.4–68.7) to 76.5 (95% CI 69.5–83.5) at final follow up (p<0.001). 26 of the 31 patients (83.8%) had good to excellent Kujala scores. 27 of 31 patients (87.1%) reported that they would undergo the procedure again if necessary. ConclusionFor the management of recurrent patellar instability in the setting of an increased tibial tubercle–trochlear groove distance, a corrective tibial tubercle osteotomy is an effective treatment modality to reliably prevent patellar instability while reducing pain and improving function in this cohort of young, active patients.