Acute patellar dislocation: how skeletal maturity affects patterns of injury

Objective The main objective of this study was to understand the role of skeletal maturity in the different patterns of osteochondral and ligamentous injuries after an acute lateral patellar dislocation. Materials and methods Two radiologists independently reviewed MRIs of 212 knees performed after an acute lateral patellar dislocation to evaluate the presence of high-grade patellar osteochondral injury, femoral osteochondral injury, and medial patellofemoral ligament injury. The association of skeletal maturity (indicated by a closed distal femoral physis), age, sex, and first-time versus recurrent dislocation with each of these various lesions was analyzed using Chi-square or T test, and multivariable logistic regression with estimation of odds ratios (OR). Results Skeletal maturity was significantly associated with high-grade patellar osteochondral injury [OR=2.72 (95% CI 1.00, 7.36); p =0.049] and femoral-side MPFL tear [OR=2.34 (95% CI 1.05, 5.25); p =0.039]. Skeletal immaturity was significantly associated with patellar-side MPFL tear [OR=0.35 (95% CI 0.14, 0.90); p =0.029]. Conclusion Patterns of injury to the patella and medial patellofemoral ligament vary notably between the skeletally immature and mature, and these variations may be explained by the inherent weakness of the patellar secondary physis.