Gender-related differences in concomitant articular injuries after acute lateral patellar dislocation

To explore the gender differences in the concomitant articular injuries after acute lateral patellar dislocation (LPD).

Magnetic resonance images were prospectively analyzed in 166 patients after an acute LPD. Concomitant articular injuries included bone contusion, medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) injury, articular cartilage lesion, and vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) lesion. Statistical analyses were performed between the patient's gender and the incidence of concomitant articular injuries in adolescent and adult subgroups.

The incidence of partial and complete MPFL tear in adolescent males and females were (45%, 50%) and (63.2%, 29.8%), respectively. Compared with adolescent females, adolescent males showed higher incidence of complete MPFL tear (P = 0.049). The incidence of articular cartilage lesion of patella in adolescent males and females were 40% and 21.1%, respectively. Compared with adolescent females, adolescent males showed higher incidence of articular cartilage lesion of the patella (P = 0.043). No correlations were identified in other injuries in the adolescent group. The incidence of partial and complete MPFL tear in adult males and females were (34.4%, 65.6%) and (56.8%, 37.8%), respectively. Compared with adult females, adult males showed higher incidence of complete MPFL tear (P = 0.036). The incidence of articular cartilage lesion of patella in adult males and females were 56.3% and 32.4%, respectively. Compared with adult females, adult males showed higher incidence of articular cartilage lesion of patella (P = 0.047). The incidence of VMO injury in adult males and females were 59.4% and 35.1%, respectively. Compared with adult females, adult males showed higher incidence of VMO injury (P = 0.044). No correlations were identified in other injuries in the adult group.

Compared with females, males predispose to complete MPFL tear and articular cartilage lesion of patella after acute LPD. Compared with female adults, male adults predispose to VMO injury.