[Patellar dislocation in athletes. Arthroscopic diagnosis and therapy]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Traumatology

Background:

• Acute knee hemarthrosis following trauma is a frequent indication for arthroscopy.
• Patellar dislocations represent a significant subset of these traumatic knee injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the incidence and characteristics of acute patellar dislocations presenting with hemarthrosis.
• To evaluate the diagnostic utility of arthroscopy and its therapeutic potential in these cases.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 270 knee arthroscopies performed between 1987-1988.
• Detailed review of cases involving acute patellar dislocation and hemarthrosis.
• Arthroscopic findings and subsequent operative interventions were documented.

Main Results:

• 53 cases (16.4%) of acute patellar dislocation were identified among arthroscopies for hemarthrosis.
• Most dislocations occurred in young males during sports like soccer and skiing.
• Arthroscopy revealed medial quadriceps retinaculum injuries and cartilage lesions in 66% of cases.
• Operative treatment during arthroscopy included fragment extraction and chondroplasty.
• Only one recurrent dislocation was noted after a 4-week immobilization period.

Conclusions:

• Acute patellar dislocation is an underdiagnosed cause of knee hemarthrosis, often missed by conventional diagnostic methods.
• Arthroscopy provides definitive diagnosis and allows for simultaneous surgical management of associated injuries.
• Surgical intervention during arthroscopy for patellar dislocation leads to favorable outcomes with low recurrence rates.