Is surgery ever needed for patellar subluxation or dislocation?
Some patients are not cured by conservative therapy, and it may be determined that surgery is needed, especially in patients who have significant pain or recurrent dislocation. By looking into the knee with an arthroscope, the surgeon can assess the mechanics of the knee joint to ascertain if there is an anatomic malalignment that could be corrected. One common malalignment is the result of too much lateral tension that pulls the kneecap out from its groove; this can place increased pressure on cartilage and lead to dislocation. For this problem, a procedure known as a lateral release can be performed. This procedure involves cutting the tight lateral ligaments to allow the patella to resume its normal position.
