Habitual dislocation of patella: A review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Pediatric Orthopedics
• Knee Surgery

Background:

• Habitual patellar dislocation involves the kneecap dislocating during knee flexion and relocating during extension.
• Also known as obligatory dislocation, it occurs without patient control during knee movement cycles.
• This condition typically presents after a child begins walking and can cause dysfunction and instability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on habitual patellar dislocation, differentiating it from recurrent dislocations.
• To discuss the various surgical techniques described for treating habitual patellar dislocation.
• To highlight the challenges and recommended approaches for effective surgical management.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing medical literature focusing on habitual patellar dislocation.
• Analysis of studies that differentiate habitual dislocation from recurrent patellar instability.
• Synthesis of information on surgical procedures and their outcomes.

Main Results:

• Limited literature specifically addresses habitual patellar dislocation, often conflating it with recurrent cases.
• Numerous surgical techniques have been described, but no single method is universally effective.
• Combined surgical procedures are frequently recommended for optimal treatment outcomes.

Conclusions:

• Habitual patellar dislocation is a distinct condition requiring specific management strategies.
• The surgical treatment landscape for habitual patellar dislocation is varied and lacks a definitive standalone procedure.
• A combination of surgical techniques is often necessary to effectively address habitual patellar dislocation.