Dislocation of the knee with lateral dislocation of the patella - A reportof four cases

In a group of 25 patients with traumatic dislocation of the knee, four, all of whom had similar ligament and medial soft-tissue injuries, also had ass ociated lateral patellar dislocation. In all four reconstruction was delaye d because of their other serious injuries. Having encountered the combination of knee dislocation and lateral patellar dislocation in 16% of our patients, we believe that it may be less rare th an is commonly believed. We think that it is important to maintain a high i ndex of suspicion of possible patellar dislocation when medial structures h ave been severely damaged, Early recognition and immobilisation in extensio n can prevent fixed lateral dislocation of the patella.