Pattern of presentation of patella instability at the national orthopaedic hospital, Dala Kano, Nigeria

Patella instability is a clinical condition in which patella dislocation had occurred at least twice, or where patella instability following initial dislocation had persisted for more than three months. It can be unilateral or bilateral. Females are more affected, and it can affect the quality of life of the individual affected. This study is a retrospective survey of all patients who had recurrent patella dislocation at National Orthopedic hospital, Dala, Kano between January 2009 and November 2019. A total of 49 patients were treated with recurrent patella dislocation were found with a predominant young age (11-20 years-old) and a female preponderance (56.4%). Pain, instability or both are the main forms of presentation. Trauma, ligamentous laxity as well as hypoplasia of femoral condyle were risk factors identified. Arthroscopic medial plication and lateral release and was done in 28 (71.8%) patients as a means of treatment. Three patients (7.7%) had medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) while the remaining 8 patients (20.5%) were managed non-operatively.