Superior dislocation of the patella: a case report.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic surgery
• Knee biomechanics
• Patellofemoral joint disorders

Background:

• Superior dislocation of the patella is uncommon, often linked to high-riding patella and medial knee osteoarthritis.
• No prior reports associate this dislocation with tibial valgus osteotomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a unique case of recurrent superior patellar dislocation post-tibial valgus osteotomy.
• To describe the surgical management and outcomes of this rare complication.

Main Methods:

• Case report detailing a patient with recurrent vertical patellar dislocation after tibial valgus osteotomy.
• Surgical intervention involved arthroscopic removal of osteophytes to prevent further dislocations.

Main Results:

• The patient experienced two recurrences of vertical patellar dislocation within four months following the osteotomy.
• Arthroscopic osteophyte removal was performed to address the recurrent dislocations.

Conclusions:

• Arthroscopic surgery offers a less invasive option with potentially better outcomes compared to open procedures for managing patellar dislocations.
• This case highlights the importance of considering patellar stability after tibial valgus osteotomy, especially in the presence of degenerative changes.