Management of recurrent dislocation of the patella following total knee arthroplasty.

Fifteen knees with patellar dislocation after total knee arthroplasty had realignment of the extensor mechanism using a modification of the Trillat procedure. The onset of dislocation occurred on average 4.7 months from the time of surgery. After total knee arthroplasty the patients had an average range of motion of 109 degrees. All patients had medialization of the tibial tubercle and lateral release. No patient had a recurrent dislocation after a minimum 2-year follow-up period. The average knee score was 82 and the average flexion arc was 112 degrees. All but one of the osteotomies healed uneventfully.