UMEM Educational Pearls

Title: Patellar dislocations (submitted by Cathy Pettit, MD)

Keywords: orthopedics (PubMed Search)

Posted: 3/23/2012 by Mimi Lu, MD
Click here to contact Mimi Lu, MD

Patellar dislocations:

lateral displacement is the most common
tender with limited range of motion
caused by sudden twisting movement, either with or without contact
more common in females and young adolescents
reduction by extension of the knee and medial pressure on the patella
knee immobilizer and crutches with orthopedics or sports medicine follow up
recurrent cases usually require surgery for definitive repair

References:
1. http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/90068-overview
2. New England Musculoskeletal Institute. http://nemsi.uchc.edu/clinical_services/orthopaedic/knee/patellar_dislocation.html