Patellofemoral Instability in Pediatric and Adolescent Athletes: A Review of Risk Factors and Treatments

Pediatric patellar instability can impair function and restrict activity participation. If left untreated, it can lead to a degenerative knee. The incidence of patellar dislocations is highest in adolescents between 10 and 17 years of age; more than half of all first-time patellar dislocations occur during sports. This article reviews the evidence of risk factors for traumatic patellar instability, surgical interventions, and return-to-sport (RTS) considerations for pediatric and adolescent athletes. Anatomic risk factors for patellar instability in pediatric and adolescent patients include trochlear dysplasia, elevated tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, patella alta, genu valgum, femoral anteversion and tibial torsion, and hyperlaxity.