treatment
Last reviewed 01/2018
Recurrent dislocation is often treated conservatively, by pushing the patella back into position and applying a plaster backslab. The patient is advised on quadriceps strengthening exercises - especially vastus medialis - to help stabilise the knee.
The tendency to dislocation may resolve as skeletal maturity is gained. If, however, dislocation occurs on more than three occasions and the patient has stopped growing, surgery should be considered. Options include one or more of:
- release of lateral structures
- tightening of medial structures
- transfer of the tibial condyle medially, to realign the pull of the quadriceps