Dr. Daniel Kaplan Highlights Distal Femoral Osteotomy Approach on Arthroscopy Podcast

Posted on: October 7th, 2025 by Our Team

On September 22, 2025, Dr. Daniel Kaplan joined hosts on the Arthroscopy Podcast for Episode 312, titled “Lateral Opening Distal Femoral Osteotomy With Concomitant Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction is Efficacious in Addressing Patellar Instability.”  The 39-minute episode explores advanced surgical techniques and clinical outcomes in patients with patellar instability.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

• Combined approach for patellar instability – Dr. Kaplan and his co-guest (Dr. Diduch) discuss how combining a lateral opening distal femoral osteotomy (DFO) with medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction can provide more robust stabilization in select patients.
• Surgical rationale and patient selection – They delve into how anatomical factors—such as malalignment in the femur—can contribute to recurrent patellar dislocations, and how DFO helps correct that alignment. The MPFL reconstruction then supports soft tissue restraint. The conversation highlights which patients are good candidates and how to balance risks and benefits.
• Outcomes, challenges, and technique considerations – Dr. Kaplan shares insights into expected patient outcomes, surgical pearls, and how to manage potential technical pitfalls or complications. The discussion also touches on rehabilitation strategies post-surgery.

Why This Matters

Patellar instability is a complex problem—especially when underlying bone alignment issues are present. The combined DFO + MPFL technique offers a more comprehensive solution in selected cases. Dr. Kaplan’s contribution in this podcast helps bridge surgical innovation with practical clinical insight, informing both academic peers and orthopedic surgeons seeking advanced strategies in knee stabilization.

Listen & Share

For orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine specialists, and trainees interested in knee preservation techniques, this episode offers both surgical depth and clinical context. You can listen via the Arthroscopy Podcast on major platforms.