Surgical management of congenital and habitual dislocation of the patella.

Twelve patients with congenital dislocation of the patella (CDP) and 23 patients with habitual dislocation of the patella (HDP) were followed for 2-15 years after surgical stabilization of the patella. The underlying pathology in both conditions was contracture of the quadriceps mechanism, which was more severe in CDP. Surgical stabilization in most cases included an extensive lateral release, medial plication, and transfer of the lateral half of the patella tendon. Lengthening of the rectus femoris tendon was required in many cases. With appropriate operative procedures, satisfactory results were achieved in 36 of the 41 knees (87.8%).