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Sports Med Arthrosc Rev Volume 20, Number 3, September 2012 First-Time Patellar Dislocation
FIGURE 1. Axial Merchant radiographic view after primary patellar dislocation. Right side (R) has been dislocated and the patella is
abnormally lateralized. Left side (L) is normal.
TABLE 2. Classification on MPFL Injuries Based on Injury Location and Reported Incidence in the Literature6,2630
MPFL Injury Anatomic Proportion in Primary Mean Reported
Classication Description Dislocations Incidence (%)
Patellar MPFL patellar attachment 13%-76% 54
Midsubstance MPFL midsubstance (region between patellar 0%-30% 12
and femoral attachments)
Femoral MPFL femoral attachment 12%-66% 34
MPFL indicates medial patellofemoral ligament.
FIGURE 5. Acute osteochondral fracture (size, 10 18 mm) involving the medial facet and central articular surface of the patella (A). The
defect should be repaired by reduction and fixation of the fragment (B).
Primary (First-time)
Patellar Dislocation
Clinical examination
and radiographs,
including axial view
Immobilization, MRI
Short immobilization
and operative MRI, operative
for patient comfort,
treatment (MPFL treatment, fixation of
MRI within 2 weeks,
reconstruction and the fragment and
assessment of MPFL
individual additional MPFL reinsertion or
injury and additional
procedures, if severe reconstruction
injuries
abnormalities)
MPFL
MPFL
MPFL disruption at midsubstance
disruption at femoral
patellar attachment disruption or partial
attachment
MPFL injury
MPFL patellar
MPFL patellar Nonoperative
insertion disruption Nonoperative
insertion bony treatment if no severe
without articular treatment with
avulsion with dysplasia
cartilage physiotherapy
articular cartilage Operative treatment
involvement, initiated as tolerated
involvement, (individual) if severe
nonoperative by pain
operative treatment abnormalities
treatment
FIGURE 6. A treatment algorithm for primary patellar dislocation. MPFL indicates medial patellofemoral ligament; MRI, magnetic
resonance imaging.
evidence in the literature, there is currently no universally some cases, osseous corrections may be needed, but the
accepted, optimal strategy for primary patellar dislocation majority will stabilize with MPFL reconstruction alone.
available.4 The complexity of patellar instability leads to Because of the complex nature of patellar instability, treat-
challenges in decision making between dierent treatment ment of primary patellar dislocation is challenging. The
modalities. Most cases are suitable for initial nonsurgical optimal treatment has not yet been established and further
management with physiotherapy, although recurrent insta- prospective randomized studies are required.
bility is very common.4 Osteochondral fragments amenable
for surgical xation are an indication for surgery, and
MPFL reconstruction may be a more reliable method of
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