Novel Technique for Closed Reduction of an Irreducible Patella Dislocation in a Degenerative Knee

Abstract

Patellar dislocations commonly occur in young adults and often reduce spontaneously or with closed reduction in the emergency department. However, traumatic patellar dislocations in older adults pose unique challenges, often complicated by degenerative osteophytes that hinder standard closed reduction methods. When closed reduction proves ineffective, patients may necessitate arthroscopic or open surgical intervention. This case report details the experience of a 60-year-old man with a traumatic patellar dislocation resistant to standard closed reduction methods, attributed to impaction of the patella against a lateral femoral condyle osteophyte. We present a novel technique for addressing irreducible patellar dislocations through closed reduction, which has yet to be documented in existing literature.