Knee Function in Patients With Two or More Episodes of Patella Dislocations

Introduction:

Patella dislocation is a serious knee injury whose peak incidence occurs in patients aged 10-17 years and is associated with a high rate of re-dislocation. Knee injuries frequently cause long-term disability and reduced physical activity among adolescents and young persons. Surgery in this patient group requires a low tolerance for complications, meaning that physical therapy might offer more successful outcomes in many knee injury cases. The proposed project studies a particular patient cohort subjected to recurrent dislocation of the patella.

Aim:

The principal objective of this clinical, randomized controlled trial is to evaluate and compare knee function and symptoms in patients with recurrent patella dislocation randomized into treatment with surgical reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) with those of patients in a standardized physiotherapy program designed to stabilize the patella and improve patient function.

Materials and methods:

Patients aged 12-30 years who have experienced two or more patella dislocations are randomized into groups receiving either MPFL reconstruction or physical therapy only. Follow-ups at 3, 6, 12, and 36 months involve functional tests, validated knee scores, arthroscopic examination, and cartilage-specific MRI protocols for the knee.

Inclusion criteria

• More than one luxation
• Norwegian citizens
• Unilateral problems
• Age range 12-30 years

Exclusion criteria

-Generalized degenerative changes