Chondromalacia and the unstable patella

Fifty-eight realignment operations for dislocation or subluxation of the extensor mechanism are described. Patellectomy was combined with realignment in 14. Thirty-five of the 44 patients (80 per cent) in whom the patella was retained also had chondromalacia patellae, which improved after realignment in 26 (74 per cent) without shaving or drilling of the articular surface. The symptoms of chondromalacia were more likely to regress if stability of the extensor mechanism was achieved.