PATELLA DISLOCATION - RECOGNIZING THE INJURY AND ITS COMPLICATIONS

Whenever a patient has a patella dislocation, osteochondral fractures should be considered. A case study involving a 17-year-old swimmer who se knee was injured playing baseball details a patella dislocation tha t was accompanied by a defect of the medial patellar facet and a later al impaction lesion of the lateral femoral gutter-both producing loose bodies. Careful physical examination and a radiographic series that i ncludes anteroposterior, lateral, notch, and sunrise patella views ass ist in making an accurate diagnosis and guide the clinician to the app ropriate treatment. Treatment involves a knee stabilizer followed by a ggressive quadriceps strengthening. Loose bodies require arthroscopic surgery.