FUNCTIONAL TREATMENT OF PATELLAR DISLOCATION IN AN ATHLETIC POPULATION

Fifty-eight athletically active study participants with 69 knees that had experienced patellar dislocations were available for followup afte r being selected for a functional rehabilitation program without antec edent immobilization. Follow-up evaluation was at a minimum of 24 mont hs after onset of treatment and averaged 46.2 months. Good or excellen t results occurred in 39 (66%) knees treated after an initial patellar dislocation and in 15 (50%) knees with a chronic history of patellar instability. Twenty-six percent of the 69 knees had experienced recurr ent patellar instability at followup. Overall, 42 patients (73%) were satisfied with their knees after this nonsurgical management. Anatomic predisposition and onset of bilateral instability at an early age wer e found to be significant factors associated with a less favorable out come.