Irreducible lateral dislocation of the patella: a case report.

Acute lateral dislocation of the patella is a common clinical entity. The dislocation often reduces spontaneously or with the assistance of the patient or someone in attendance at the time of the injury. Very occasionally the patient presents to an emergency room with the patella still dislocated, and it is usually easily reduced at that time without an anesthetic by a physician. It is extremely rare to find an irreducible lateral dislocation of the patella, which cannot be reduced by manipulation even with a general anesthetic. A case is herein reported of an irreducible lateral dislocation of the patella that required open reduction followed by soft tissue reconstruction.