ARTICULAR-CARTILAGE INJURY WITH ACUTE PATELLAR DISLOCATION IN ADOLESCENTS - ARTHROSCOPIC AND RADIOGRAPHIC CORRELATION

Acute patellar dislocation and relocation produces major forces at the articular surfaces. Articular injury was assessed in 48 patients, 24 boys and 24 girls (mean age, 14 years), with acute, initial, noncontac t patellar dislocations. Correlation of the findings of radiographic a nd arthroscopic examinations was done. Eleven of the 48 patients (23%) had radiologic diagnoses of articular injuries, Thirty-four of the 48 patients (71%) had arthroscopic evidence of articular damage, 32 oste ochondral and 2 chondral injuries, Eight of the 28 (29%) arthroscopica lly identified osteochondral loose bodies (4 to 20 mm) were identified radiologically. Overall, only 11 of the 34 (32%) arthroscopically doc umented articular injuries were defined by preoperative radiographs. T hese standard radiographs provided limited information for management decisions. Poor results after patellar dislocation treatment may invol ve nonrecognition of articular compromise.