title: Functional treatment of patellar dislocation in an athletic population.
abstract: Fifty-eight athletically active study participants with 69 knees that had experienced patellar dislocations were available for followup after being selected for a functional rehabilitation program without antecedent immobilization. Follow-up evaluation was at a minimum of 24 months after onset of treatment and averaged 46.2 months. Good or excellent 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 recurrent 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 were found to be significant factors associated with a less favorable outcome.
authors.affiliation: University of Alabama in Birmingham 35233, USA.
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Garth
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pomphrey
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Merrill
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D001484:Baseball / Q000293:injuries; D001490:Basketball / Q000293:injuries; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000628:therapy*; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000601:surgery*; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome