Isokinetic knee extension strength and pain before and after correction of recurrent patellar dislocation.

The maximal isokinetic knee extension strength was measured in 20 patients before and after surgical correction of recurrent dislocations of the patella and the pain evoked during the recordings was rated. The preoperative muscle strength was significantly higher and pain was less severe than in a previously studied group of patients with chondromalacia or patellofemoral osteoarthrosis. Twenty months after patella realignment by a new surgical procedure including an extensive lateral release and anteromedial displacement of the tibial tuberosity by an oblique osteotomy through the anterior crest of the tibia, a significant decrease of patellofemoral pain and a slight increase of muscle strength was noted.