Acute dislocation of the patella. A prospective review of operative treatment

• Published in: Journal of bone and joint surgery. British volume Vol. 72; no. 3; pp. 366 - 369
• Main Authors: VAINIONPAÊAÊ, S, LAASONEN, E, SILVENNOINEN, T, VASENIUS, J, ROKKANEN, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery 01.05.1990
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Humans; Injuries of the limb. Injuries of the spine; Joint Dislocations - rehabilitation; Joint Dislocations - surgery; Ligaments, Articular - injuries; Ligaments, Articular - surgery; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Patella - injuries; Prospective Studies; Recurrence; Rupture; Sports; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Knee; Human; Orthopedic surgery; Luxation; Treatment; Patella; Acute; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Lower limb; Trauma; Result
• ISSN: 0301-620X; 2044-5377
• DOI: 10.1302/0301-620x.72b3.2341428

We report a prospective study of 55 patients with acute primary patellar dislocation, all treated by operation and followed up for at least two years. Diagnosis was based on the history of a lateral displacement, with medial tenderness and a positive apprehension test; redislocations were excluded. Before operation, the difference in lateral shift on skyline views of the injured and control patellae was highly significant. At operation, rupture of the medial retinaculum of the patella was seen in all but one case. There were medial marginal fractures of the patella in 23 cases. Subjective results of the operation were excellent or good in 44 of the 55 at two years with a redislocation rate of only 9%. Most patients were able to return to the same level of sporting activity as before the injury.