Chondral injuries in patients with recurrent patellar dislocation: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Recurrent patellar dislocations in patients with patellofemoral instability can cause significant damage to surrounding knee structures.
• These injuries often limit patients' ability to participate in recreational activities and negatively affect their overall quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the frequency, location, and extent of soft tissue injuries associated with recurrent patellar dislocations.
• To identify common injury patterns in patients experiencing recurrent patellar instability.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA checklist.
• Literature search was performed across PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Science databases in July 2021.
• Included studies reported on the frequency, location, and extent of soft tissue lesions in patients with recurrent patellar dislocations.

Main Results:

• Data from 9 articles involving 232 patients were analyzed.
• The average age of patients was 21.2 ± 5.6 years.
• Patellar chondral defects were present in 84.8% of patients, with the medial facet (34.9%), patellar crest (34.8%), and lateral facet (17%) being the most affected areas. Trochlear chondral injuries were observed in 27.8% of patients.

Conclusions:

• Chondral defects of the medial facet and the crest of the patella are the most prevalent injuries in patients with recurrent patellofemoral instability.
• These findings highlight the common sites of damage following recurrent patellar dislocations, informing clinical assessment and treatment strategies.