Presentation and Repair of Serial Misdiagnosed Congenital Patellar Dislocation

Cureus. 2021 Dec 1;13(12):e20082. doi: 10.7759/cureus.20082. eCollection 2021 Dec.

Abstract

Congenital patellar dislocation (CPD) is a rare deformity in children that involves a laterally displaced patella. While potentially identified in early childhood using diagnostic imaging techniques, it is often misdiagnosed at birth, creating pain and mobility issues as the child grows. Dislocation of the patella is permanent and manually irreducible, often manifesting with flexion contracture of the knee, genu valgum, external tibial torsion, and foot deformity. Surgical correction is the treatment of choice in order to prevent future sequelae. We herein present a case of CPD in a four-year-old Asian male who was initially misdiagnosed before undergoing successful surgical repair using the Roux-Goldthwait technique.

Keywords: congenital birth defect; general surgery; musculoskeletal rehabilitation; ortho surgery; patella dislocation.

Publication types

  • Case Reports