Lateral Patellar Dislocation: A Critical Review and Update of Evidence-Based Rehabilitation Practice Guidelines and...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Nonoperative treatment of lateral patellar dislocation yields favorable functional results.
• However, up to 35% of patients experience recurrent dislocations after nonoperative management.
• Recurrent patellar instability poses a significant challenge in orthopedic and sports medicine settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction in preventing recurrent patellar dislocations.
• To assess the functional outcomes and return-to-sport rates following surgical intervention.
• To outline optimal rehabilitation strategies for both operative and nonoperative patellar dislocation management.

Main Methods:

• Review of literature on nonoperative and operative treatments for lateral patellar dislocations.
• Analysis of outcomes including recurrent dislocation rates, functional scores, and return to sport.
• Evaluation of rehabilitation protocols focusing on pain, motion, and progressive strengthening.

Main Results:

• Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction is an effective treatment for preventing recurrent dislocations.
• Surgical intervention demonstrates excellent outcomes with a high rate of return to sport.
• Comprehensive rehabilitation, including hip and knee strengthening, is crucial post-treatment.

Conclusions:

• Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction offers a viable solution for recurrent patellar instability.
• A structured rehabilitation program is essential for optimizing patient recovery and function.
• Pre-return to sport assessments should include strength symmetry and patient-reported outcomes for patellofemoral joint stability.