Emergency Medicine

UMEM Educational Pearls

Search

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

Category: Pediatrics

Keywords: orthopedics (PubMed Search)

Posted: 3/23/2012 by 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