Back on track, but still benched: Long-term impact of patellar dislocation on sport and function – A retrospective cohort study

Purpose: To assess the long-term clinical outcomes following patellar dislocation, including patients with primary and recurrent dislocations and those treated surgically. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of patients with patellar dislocation between January 2019 and December 2022. Participants completed a questionnaire >6 months after their most recent dislocation or >1 year following patellar stabilization surgery. The primary outcome was the Kujala score. Secondary outcomes included the Tegner Activity Scale, Knee Self-Efficacy Scale (K-SES), Patient Acceptable Symptom State (PASS), and the Sporting Activity Questionnaire (SAQ). Comparisons were made between primary dislocations, recurrent dislocations, and those who underwent surgery. Results: 228 participants were included: 66 with primary dislocation, 88 with recurrent dislocations, and 74 who had undergone surgery. The median Kujala score was 89 (78–96) for primary, 82 (72–92) for recurrent, and 78 (65–89) for the surgical group (p < 0.001). The SAQ showed a decline in high-impact sport participation and an increase in no sport participation from pre-to post-injury. These changes were statistically significant in the recurrent group (p < 0.001) and the surgery group (p < 0.001), but not in the primary group (p = 0.143). According to PASS, 49 % of participants reported dissatisfaction with their current knee function. Conclusion: Patellar dislocations may cause long-term physical limitations and reduced sports participation, with about half of patients dissatisfied with knee function after 2–3 years. Surgery does not appear sufficient to restore patients to full physical function.