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Presentation and Repair of Serial Misdiagnosed Congenital Patellar Dislocation
Hiep Nguyen1,2, Elizabeth Mekler3, Ann Truong3
1Emergency Medicine, Nova Southeastern University Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Fort Lauderdale, USA.
Insights
Congenital patellar dislocation (CPD) is a rare pediatric knee deformity. Early diagnosis and surgical repair, like the Roux-Goldthwait technique, are crucial for correcting this condition and preventing long-term mobility issues.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Pediatric Surgery
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Congenital patellar dislocation (CPD) is a rare pediatric condition characterized by a permanently laterally displaced patella.
- Often misdiagnosed at birth, CPD can lead to significant pain and mobility impairments in children.
- Associated deformities may include knee flexion contracture, genu valgum, tibial torsion, and foot abnormalities.
Observation:
- A four-year-old Asian male presented with symptoms suggestive of congenital patellar dislocation.
- Initial diagnosis was inaccurate, delaying appropriate treatment.
- The patient exhibited classic signs of CPD, including knee stiffness and malalignment.
Findings:
- The case highlights the challenges in diagnosing congenital patellar dislocation in infants.
- Successful surgical correction was achieved using the Roux-Goldthwait technique.
- The surgical intervention addressed the irreducible lateral patellar displacement.
Implications:
- Prompt and accurate diagnosis of CPD is essential for optimal patient outcomes.
- Surgical correction is the recommended treatment to prevent secondary complications.
- The Roux-Goldthwait procedure offers a viable surgical option for managing congenital patellar dislocation.
Abstract:
Congenital patellar dislocation (CPD) is a rare deformity in children that involves a laterally displaced patella. While potentially identified in early childhood using diagnostic imaging techniques, it is often misdiagnosed at birth, creating pain and mobility issues as the child grows. Dislocation of the patella is permanent and manually irreducible, often manifesting with flexion contracture of the knee, genu valgum, external tibial torsion, and foot deformity. Surgical correction is the treatment of choice in order to prevent future sequelae. We herein present a case of CPD in a four-year-old Asian male who was initially misdiagnosed before undergoing successful surgical repair using the Roux-Goldthwait technique.
