The influence of primary treatment approach on outcomes in patients with osteochondral fracture after patellar dislocation: a case series

BACKGROUND: We characterized the relation of primary treatment approaches to the need of later surgical interventions and the outcomes of patellar dislocation in patients with patellofemoral osteochondral fracture (OCF). METHODS: Overall, 134 patients with OCF were categorized in two groups according to treatment approach: primary surgery (operation within 90 days from injury) and conservative treatment. Data on surgical procedures, OCF characteristics, and patellofemoral anatomy were retrospectively collected. To measure subjective outcomes, 54 patients completed the knee-specific patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) Kujala score, Tegner activity scale, the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) quality of life (QoL) subscale, and visual analog scale pain items. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 4.9 years [standard deviation (SD) 2.7 years]. The primary treatment approach was surgery in 73 patients (54%) and conservative in 61 patients (46%) of whim 18 (30%) needed late surgery. Of primary surgery patients, the OCF was reimplanted in 45 patients (62%) and removed in the rest. Of all patients, 31 needed surgery in the later phase after the primary treatment approach (either reoperation or surgery after insufficient outcome of conservative treatment). In conservatively treated patients, OCF was smaller and patellofemoral joint malformation was more severe than in surgery group. Among patients who completed the PROMs, the outcomes appeared generally acceptable in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although a majority of the primary treatment approaches for OCF after patellar dislocation were definitive, one-fourth of patients required surgery in the later phase. PROMs did not indicate major differences between the study groups.