Acute patellar dislocations. The natural history. x

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Hawkins RJ. Bell RH. Anisette G. x American Journal of Sports Medicine. [JC:3yr] 14(2):117-20, 1986 Mar-Apr. Of 27 patients sustaining primary patellar dislocations, 20 were treated x with immobilization and subsequent physiotherapy (including nine patients x who underwent arthroscopy) and seven with immediate surgical stabilization x and lateral release. The patients with predisposing factors such as x patellofemoral malalignment, abnormal patellar configuration, and a x history of prior symptoms of instability were more prone to recurrent x dislocation and may benefit from operative intervention. Although the x incidence of recurrence among those individuals can be decreased, at least x 30% to 50% of all patients having sustained a primary patellar dislocation x will continue to have symptoms of instability and/or anterior knee pain. x