Functional Outcomes of Conservative Treatment of Recurrent Patellar Instability

Background: Patellar instability is a common orthopedic condition, particularly among young individuals and females. It is characterized by discomfort during knee flexion or sports activities and accounts for approximately 2-3% of all knee injuries. The incidence rate is 5.8 per 100,000 in the general population and 29 per 100,000 in the 10 to 17-year-old age group. Contributing factors to patellar instability include acute trauma, anatomical abnormalities, and muscle imbalances, which can lead to chronic instability and issues with the patellofemoral joint (PFJ). Objective: This study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of conservative treatment in patients with recurrent patellofemoral joint instability using a combination of exercises targeting the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted between December 2023 and July 2024 involving 10 female patients (mean age 30 years) with recurrent patellofemoral joint instability. Patients were treated with VMO strengthening exercises for six months. The functional outcome was assessed using the modified Lysholm knee scoring scale. Pre and post-treatment scores were compared to evaluate the effectiveness of the conservative management approach. Results: All patients showed improvements in knee function after six months of exercise therapy. The average post-treatment scores indicated good to excellent knee function in the majority of the cases. Conservative treatment reduced pain, improved joint stability, and minimized the risk of recurrent dislocations. Conclusion: Conservative management, including targeted VMO exercises, effectively improves knee function and reduces the recurrence of patellofemoral joint instability in non-traumatic cases. Surgical intervention remains necessary for severe or recurrent cases unresponsive to physiotherapy