Recurrent dislocation of patella: three kinds of surgical treatment.

The authors compare three surgical techniques for treatment of recurrent dislocation of patella. The best results, even in the correction of lateral patellar displacement, were achieved with proximal realignment, while the worst results occurred when lateral retinacular release was used alone. In distal realignment, the degree of correction necessary must be ascertained by thorough preoperative assessment of both patellar height and malalignment between femoral groove and tibial tubercle. If the medial retinacular structures are weakened, it may be necessary to perform proximal realignment. We believe that a single surgical option is insufficient, and that the best solution for each individual case should be chosen according to precise indications. The choices include proximal realignment, distal realignment, or a combination of both, while lateral release should always be used in combination with another technique.