Locked lateral patella dislocation with generalized ligamentous laxity after arthroscopic lateral release of the knee

We describe the case of a 14-year-old boy with patellar instability on both sides resulting from ligamentous hyperlaxity and dysplasia of the lateral femoral condyle who had previously undergone an arthroscopic lateral release as well as plication of the medial capsule. The patient presented to our clinic 2 years after surgery with a locked lateral patella dislocation on the left side. The surgical correction involved a substantial open lateral release including an excision of the scar tissue and stabilization of the patella in the patellofemoral groove by tibial tubercle medialization and plication of the medial capsule. Six months after surgery, the patient achieved a Lysholm score of 90 points and clinical examination indicated a stable knee with a centralized patella without any evidence of subluxation or dislocation. Open lateral release with partial resection of the lateral retinaculum, medial reconstruction, and tibial tubercle osteotomy was the procedure of choice in this patient with habitual patella dislocation caused by generalized ligamentous laxity.