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Surgical treatment of patellar dislocation in children with Down syndrome: a 3- to 11-year follow-up study

Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy volume 17, pages 334–340 (2009)Cite this article

Abstract

We report results of surgical treatment of ten knees affected by patellar dislocation in six children with Down syndrome. Four knees showed a dislocatable patella (grade III according to Dugdale), two a dislocated reducible patella (grade IV) and four a dislocated irreducible patella (grade V). Symptoms included frequent falls, limping and pain. In all the cases a Roux–Goldthwait–Campbell procedure was performed. Mean age at surgery was 10 years (range 6 years and 6 months to 13 years and 4 months). Patients were reviewed at an average follow-up of 8 years and 8 months (range 3 years and 6 months to 11 years and 5 months). None showed signs of recurrence of the dislocation. The median Lysholm score improved from 57.5 to 91/100. Statistical analysis showed a significant effectiveness of the procedure in improving function, and that surgery was significantly more effective in patients with more severe disability.

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Acknowledgments

We wish to thank Prof. Giancarlo Bettuzzi for help with statistical analysis and Dr. Manuela Zuntini for support in translation of the paper.

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatric Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Rizzoli Orthopaedic Institute, via Pupilli 1, 40136, Bologna, Italy

    Camilla Bettuzzi, Manuele Lampasi, Marina Magnani & Onofrio Donzelli

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  1. Camilla Bettuzzi
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  2. Manuele Lampasi
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  3. Marina Magnani
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  4. Onofrio Donzelli
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Correspondence to Manuele Lampasi.

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Bettuzzi, C., Lampasi, M., Magnani, M. et al. Surgical treatment of patellar dislocation in children with Down syndrome: a 3- to 11-year follow-up study. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 17, 334–340 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-008-0652-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-008-0652-5

Keywords

  • Down syndrome
  • Patellar dislocation
  • Instability
  • Surgical treatment
  • Ligamentous laxity