Patellofemoral Arthroplasty for Irreducible Chronic Bilateral Patella Dislocation-A Case Report

Patellofemoral joint arthroplasty (PFJA) is mainly used to treat older patients suffering from osteoarthritis. However, this case report sheds light on the implications of this treatment for young patients suffering from patellar maltracking and secondary patellofemoral osteoarthritis (PFOA).

A female patient in her late 3rd decade of life presented with long-standing bilateral knee pain and significant functional impairment, including difficulty walking and stair climbing. She also expressed concern as a young female about her walking esthetics. Medical records indicated she underwent bilateral MPFL reconstruction in both knees simultaneously when she was 8 years old. Imaging studies revealed a bilateral complete patellar dislocation accompanied by bilateral patellofemoral joint osteoarthritis worse in the right knee. Various conservative treatment attempts were made with no or minimal relief. Consequently, bilateral PFJA was conducted, resulting in an overall transformational improvement in life quality at 39 months of follow-up on the right knee and 7 months of follow-up on the left knee.

PFJA is extremely beneficial for treating young patients suffering from patellar maltracking and patellofemoral arthritis. This is an original case report of interest to orthopedic surgery. Not only does PFJA treat osteoarthritis, but it also improves patellar tracking and may even decrease the progression of tibiofemoral osteoarthritis.