Superior Dislocation of the Patella in a Young Woman without Osteophytes: A Case Report

Abstract

Superior dislocation of the patella without patellar ligament injury is an extremely rare condition. A review of the English-language literature found only 23 reported cases. In addition, the primary factor for dislocation in most of these cases was considered to be osteophytes in the inferior pole of the patella and the anterior surface of the femoral condyle; only 1 case had no osteophytes. We treated a 19-year-old woman who sustained a painful locking of the left knee after colliding with a friend. Plain radiography and computed tomography showed superior-lateral dislocation of the patella and an interlocking between notches in the inferior pole of the patella and the anterior surface of the femoral condyle. Closed reduction without sedation was performed without difficulty, and the patient was able to walk home without pain. After 1 week, the knee was without problems. The patient had no osteophytes in the knee and had no other common risk factors, such as patella alta, ligamentous laxity, genu recurvatum, and paralytic disorders. After a comparison with previously reported cases of superior patella dislocation, we concluded that the primary factor in the present case might have been a different condition.