Orthopedics Today discusses the latest research and surgical advancements for the treatment of primary patellofemoral dislocations and includes insight from Beth E. Shubin Stein, MD, co-director of the Women's Sports Medicine Center at HSS.

According to Dr. Shubin Stein, whether an adolescent athlete experiences an ACL tear or a patellar dislocation depends on the patient’s anatomy. She said the most common reason for a patellar dislocation lies in the shape of the patient’s trochlea.

She added, “When [the trochlear] groove or track is not shaped correctly, it can be shallow or it can even be flat, then that person is more likely to sustain a patellar dislocation because the groove is not shaped well."

One of the biggest advantages of surgical treatment of primary patellofemoral dislocations is the reduction in the rate of recurrent dislocation, explained Dr. Shubin Stein. She said the rate of recurrent dislocation ranges from 65% to 70% in patients younger than 25 years of age with trochlear dysplasia.

Dr. Shubin Stein continued, “If we fix them, they have about a 95% chance of not having another dislocation if their growth plates are closed. If their growth plates are open, they have about an 85% chance of never having another dislocation.”

She said, “[Patient] outcome measures of how they feel and their ability to return to sport and their quality of life, those all seem to be improved in patients who have surgery rather than patients who do not,”

“That is not for everybody, but it is in the studies that are out there right now. The trend is toward better outcome measures,” she added.

Read the full article at Healio.com.