Trochlear Dysplasia

Trochlear dysplasia is a rare condition seen in some cases of patella dislocation. Patients with this condition have a ‘bump’ where there should be a groove for the patella to glide.

Usually this condition leads to uncomfortable sensations of patella instability; the patella does not reliably glide and patients feel apprehensive about it moving erratically. In some instances it also involves pain, particularly where the patella is loading on one point rather than taking body weight along its whole surface.

Many mild cases of trochlear dysplasia are seen and can be ignored with successful surgery to stabilise the patella. Surgical treatment to reconstruct a normal groove is some of the most extensive knee surgery possible, and is reserved for only the most severe cases of dysplasia.