Locked lateral patella dislocation: the role for the skyline view in the trauma setting

摘要

Objective: Acute traumatic dislocation of the patella is a common problem. These cases often either spontaneously reduce or undergo successful closed reduction in Emergency Departments. We describe a rare case of an irreducible patella dislocation in a 15 year old boy following direct trauma. Method: Intra-operative skyline views revealed lateral dislocation of the patella with the patella ‘locked’ in internal rotation. Result: Closed reduction in theatre failed and open reduction was required. Conclusion: This case illustrates the benefit of the skyline view in the radiograph series following failed closed reduction, aiding the identification of atypical dislocations and osteochondral fracture fragments.