Traumatic dislocations of the patella: problems related to treatment.

Traumatic dislocation of the patella is an infrequent occurrence favored by dysplasia of the extensor apparatus of the knee. The problem of diagnosis is at the basis of a choice of treatment, as any pre-existing dysplasia may be worsened by traumatic dislocation. Furthermore, the presence of a patellar or femoral osteochondral fragment, a more frequent finding than is generally believed as demonstrated by arthroscopy, influences surgical treatment. The results of 37 cases are reported, and several details related to surgical method discussed.