The objective of this prospective, randomized cohort study was to evaluate the clinical results between operative and nonoperative treatment of primary patellar dislocation.

There is no consensus about management of acute traumatic primary patellar dislocations in young physically active adults. Acute lateral patellar dislocation is a relatively common injury among young adults. Proper treatment for this condition has been researched for decades. However, there is a lack of prospective randomized studies to evaluate the different treatment options for traumatic primary patellar dislocations. Therefore a prospective, randomized study was designed with the aim to compare the outcome of operative versus nonoperative treatment of primary traumatic patellar dislocations in young adults.

Inclusion Criteria:

• An acute primary traumatic patellar dislocation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Previous dislocation or subluxation of the patella
• Pre-existing ipsilateral or contralateral knee pathology
• Previous knee trauma or patellar fracture.