[Course of recurrent dislocation of the patella, patellar syndrome without dislocation and femoropatellar osteoarthritis].

The frequency of recurrent dislocation of the patella is increased by the young age of onset, the presence of patella alta and permanent subluxation of the patella. The natural history of the patellar syndrome appears to be fairly favourable in everyday activities, but discomfort is often marked in the intermediate term in sports activities. Isolated femoropatellar osteoarthritis rarely causes major functional impairment of gait. Medial or lateral femorotibial osteoarthritis occurs secondarily. Painful cases often present with subchondral anomalies of the lateral patellar facet, lateral tibial osteophytosis and patella alta.