2009 Reduction of Patellar Dislocation eMedicine Procedures

Description: Patellar dislocations are common, particularly in adolescent females and athletes. Patients usually present with an inability to extend an obviously deformed knee. A sizable effusion may also be seen. This injury may be due to direct trauma to the patella or a valgus stress combined with flexion and external rotation.
The reported incidence of patellar dislocation is 5.8 per 100,000, but it may be as high as 29 per 100,000 in the adolescent population.1 The most common type of dislocation is lateral; however, horizontal, vertical, superior, and intercondylar dislocations may rarely occur.
Moira Davenport, MD & Adam J Rosh, MD, MS