title: Update on the management of patellar instability.
abstract: Patellar instability is a complex topic that must be treated at the individual level. The majority of first-time patellar dislocations occur in sport, and there is a high rate of recurrence and ongoing symptoms. Physical examination and imaging studies can aid in treatment decisions. Patient symptoms, degree of trauma, compliance with therapy, anatomical factors, and desired activity levels influence management strategies (both operative and nonoperative). There is recent emphasis on the medial patellofemoral ligament and its involvement in patellar stability, and various surgical techniques have been studied; however there is no clear consensus.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Family Medicine and Orthopaedic Surgery, Division of Sports Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90404, USA. hgillespie@mednet.ucla.edu
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gillespie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000628:therapy*; D008022:Ligaments / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D031222:Patellar Dislocation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012008:Recurrence