Background: The latest results concerning patellar instability in children and adolescents lead to a better understanding of the underlying pathology.
Objectives: Determination of necessary diagnostic procedures and treatment of patellar instability in children and adolescents.
Material and methods: Analysis of available literature based on a systematic MEDLINE analysis.
Results: Diagnostics, risk factors und treatment of adult patellar instability are applicable in the treatment of children. A trend towards early surgical stabilization after primary dislocation was identified. Growth plate-preserving methods for autologous MPFL reconstruction can safely be used in children.
Conclusions: For children with a high risk of redislocation, primary surgical intervention should be performed. The necessary method must be determined by individual risk factor analysis.
Keywords: Child; Epiphyseal plate; Joint instability; Kneecap; Medial patello-femoral ligament (MPFL).