Intra-articular Chondral Fragment After Acute Patellar Dislocation.

An 18-year-old military cadet presented to a direct-access physical therapy clinic 3 days after sustaining a lateral patellar dislocation that self-reduced with extension of the knee. Suspecting a loose body, the physical therapist ordered radiographs, which did not demonstrate any associated fractures. Rapid disposition was required to determine her potential to participate in mandatory Army field training, so the patient was referred to an orthopaedic surgeon, who ordered magnetic resonance imaging to assess for intra-articular pathology. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a full-thickness defect in the patellar cartilage at the medial facet, with a loose fragment in the suprapatellar pouch. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(1):36. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.7599.